Tips To Reduce VOCs In Your Home
VOCs are widespread and it would be impossible to eliminate them completely. You
can, however, reduce the impact of VOCs by making some changes around the home:
BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED
When it comes to household chemicals, break the habit of buying in bulk to save
money and simply buy what you need. Stored chemicals are a major source of VOCs,
even when the container is closed up tight. Whenever possible, buy low-VOC versions
of products. Many “green” brands are only slightly more expensive than conventional
versions.
STORE SMELLY STUFF AWAY FROM THE HOUSE
Paints, paint thinners, pesticides and petrol cans are a major source of VOCs. The
further away from the house, the better. A detached shed is ideal - the cupboard
under the kitchen sink or the staircase is not. If you have leftover pesticides, paint
and other chemicals, contact your local council to find out where you can dispose of
them safely.
SEAL OFF YOUR ATTACHED GARAGE
If you have an attached garage, you’ve got vehicles with VOC-producing petrol tanks
right next to your living area. Plus, if a detached shed isn’t an option, you’re likely to
use your garage to store your chemicals, petrol cans and other VOC-spewing
products. If that’s the case, seal up any connections between your garage and living
area.
YOUR NOSE KNOWS
Weather permitting, open windows and run exhaust fans when you’re working with
paints and pungent cleaners. Trust your nose - if you can smell it, you’re inhaling
VOCs. That includes any time you bring vinyl or plastic items (like a new shower
curtain), or dry-cleaned clothes into the house. Remove covers and packaging from
items and set them outside for a while to off-gas - at least until they don’t smell.
Schedule major interior paint jobs for good weather so you can open up windows.
EXHAUST YOUR POSSIBILITIES
Bathroom and kitchen fans are great for removing VOCs from the air, especially
because cooking and cleaning can release some potent, even carcinogenic,
compounds. But if you run exhaust fans constantly, you create negative air pressure
inside the house that may draw air - and VOCs - from your attached garage into your
home. Run fans until any chemical or smoke smell dissipates then turn them off.
THROW AWAY THE AIR FRESHENERS
The health evidence against plug-in and spray air fresheners is mounting; many emit
chemicals and ultra-fine particles that aren’t identified on the label. Some also contain
terpene, a fragrant chemical that’s widely found in natural substances, such as pine
resins. But when confined inside a house, terpenes react with naturally occurring
ozone in the air and form compounds that have long-term effects on the respiratory
system, for example, asthma.
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