How Do VOCs Affect the Environment?
• When VOCs are released to the atmosphere, they can participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions to form ground-level ozone and particulate matter. These two air pollutants are the main ingredients of smog and cause serious health effects for Canadians, including thousands of premature deaths, hospital admissions and emergency room visits every year. • Almost all ground-level ozone and in the order of two-thirds of particulate matter are formed in the atmosphere through the reactions of precursor substances, with VOCs being one of the most significant. Consequently, reduction of atmospheric levels of particulate matter and ozone must be accomplished through reductions of precursors, such as VOCs.
