How VOCs Linger After Cleaning: The Case for Air Purification

Have you ever bought a new rug, unrolled it in your living room, and noticed a nasty odor that lingered for days? You might have experienced something similar with a new piece of furniture—the material smelled…funky. One thing that could be behind this smell is volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here’s some bad news: Even after you stop noticing that smell, and even if you clean like a maniac, VOCs can linger.

What Are Volatile Organic Compounds?

VOCs are emitted as gases from some types of solids and liquids. Common sources include paint, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials, refrigerants, pharmaceuticals, furniture, copiers, printers, and adhesives.

Concentrations of VOCs are typically higher indoors, which is where we spend the majority of our time. What’s concerning is that exposure to VOCs can lead to both short- and long-term health consequences, including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches; nausea; fatigue; dizziness; loss of coordination; certain types of cancer; and liver, kidney, and central nervous system (CNS) damage.

If you have respiratory problems, like asthma or bronchitis, the symptoms of VOC exposure might be more pronounced. Additionally, VOCs are especially dangerous for young children, the elderly, and individuals who are sensitive to chemicals. (Have you ever tried to scrub the shower and the cleaning product has your eyes and nose running?)

Read our blog, What Are VOCs and at What Levels Are They Dangerous?

Don’t They Dissipate Over Time?

Yes, with time, the VOCs in your home will clear up. However, the source and concentration partly determine how long that takes. It could go away in a couple of days, but it could also take months and even years. (Think of VOCs emitted by the materials used to construct your home. You’re surrounded by them 24/7/365!)

If you’re experiencing any nasty odors, as we talked about earlier, sometimes, you simply become accustomed to the smell and stop noticing it. That doesn’t mean your home is clear of VOCs.

Furthermore, you should bear in mind that a smell isn’t the only indication of the presence of VOCs. Even if the odor goes away, the VOCs themselves can remain.

How Can I Avoid Releasing More VOCs in My Home?

Avoiding higher levels of volatile organic compounds in your home partly comes down to the specific sources, but here are a few general tips:

• For paints, solvents, etc., opt for low-VOC options, and only buy what you need. Even unused chemicals can emit VOCs into the air. Dispose of anything left over according to your county’s regulations for hazardous waste. Otherwise, you should try to store them outside, like in a shed—someplace you don’t often go.

• If you’re buying new furniture, look for something that was already on display on the showroom floor. This likely means it already had a chance to off-gas. (This is one benefit of buying used furniture!)

• If you can’t get something from the showroom floor, let it air out outside or in your garage for a week or so. This will help offset the amount of VOCs it emits inside your home.

• Maintain good ventilation in your home. If the outdoor air quality in your area is good, crack a few windows to let it in! In rooms prone to moisture, like bathrooms, open the door/window after showering. Using ceiling fans can help the air circulate even more.

• Keep the humidity at a proper level—somewhere between 30% and 60%.  

Should I Test My Home for Volatile Organic Compounds?

If you’re curious about what your home’s VOC levels are like, yes, an at-home air quality test kit can be helpful. These kits can check for other contaminants, as well.

While at-home testing is a great start, it isn’t the most thorough option. (You also need to be careful to purchase from a reputable brand that provides accurate results.) A professional service provider can tell you more. These people use specific equipment to measure the levels of air pollutants in your home.

Removing VOCs From Your Home to Protect Your Health

Cutting off VOCs at the source is the first step. The insights you can gain from testing the levels are also valuable. However, you will still have volatile organic compounds in your home. Remember, they’re even being emitted by building materials, long after you’ve moved in and long after the smell has gone away.

The one piece of technology that can stand up to VOCs and other contaminants in your home is the right air purifier. The Sans air purifier has a sensor specifically to monitor VOCs, in addition to PM2.5 and PM10. It utilizes a medical-grade HEPA 13 filter and layers this with a pre-filter to catch larger contaminants; a one-pound activated carbon filter (3x other purifiers) to absorb chemicals, odors, gases, and—you guessed it—VOCs; and internal UV-C light to protect you against pathogens like viruses, mold and bacteria. Our devices’ UV-C light is CARB-certified to be completely ozone-free. (Yes, some air purifiers produce ozone!) 

You should put your air purifier close to the biggest source(s) of contamination. For instance, if you fill your living room with a bunch of new furniture, set the purifier up there. For an area of a smaller square footage, you might find the Sans Mini to be a better fit. Both products are lightweight and portable, so you can move them around as needed.

Sans runs on auto-pilot, always monitoring your indoor air quality and kicking on as needed. Plus, it’s nearly silent, so even when you’re working or sleeping, it won’t disturb you. It will notify you when it’s time to change the filters so that it can continue running optimally. You can expect approximately 2,200 hours (or about three months) of continuous protection before having to replace the filters. 

Learn more about the Sans air technology and how we can help keep you and your family safe from toxic indoor air pollution.