VOCs and indoor air quality?
VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds and can be released by human or natural sources. They can react with the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, and to a lesser degree, acid rain. Some VOCs, like the fumes from numerous interior products (glues, paints, cabinets, carpets and pads, furniture, etc.) are toxic, and could possibly cause a range of health problems from occasional headaches to allergic reactions, depending on the concentration and the sensitivity of the individual. “Least toxic” products are those that contain levels of VOCs below what the EPA or other credible sources have determined to be safe levels. In some cases, a “least toxic” product may be preferable to a “non-toxic” product for performance reasons. Additional indoor air quality protection can include controlled mechanical ventilation with an air-to-air heat exchanger or heat recovery ventilator to bring in fresh air without wasting heat.
