Things about VOC (3)

What are the Dangers of VOCs?

VOCs can cause harm to the environment and human health.

Effect on the Environment

In sunlight, volatile organic compounds react with nitrogen oxides emitted primarily from vehicles, power plants and industrial activities to form ground-level ozone. As we all know, stratospheric ozone is a biologically critical UV absorber that protects the planet. However, ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant and one of the components of smog. In addition, the VOCs entering the atmosphere will increase the atmospheric oxidativeness, which helps to convert polluting gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into sulfate and nitrate aerosols, thereby promoting the formation of PM2.5.

Impact on Human Health

VOCs can cause serious health problems when inhaled or through the skin. VOCs can irritate our eyes, nose, and throat, or can worsen existing heart and respiratory problems, such as asthma. Mild symptoms can cause headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, etc. Prolonged exposure to severe VOCs can cause permanent damage to the lungs, liver and kidneys and affect our immune system, even leading to cancer.