ozone_chartVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that can vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures21 and hence will tend to evaporate from a building product into the air over time where humans can breathe them in. VOC-type chemicals are used as feedstocks for some plastics and used in binders and other resins for products such as composite wood or insulation, in paints, coatings and adhesives, and treatments to provide water esistance or to enhance stain repellence. Some typical problematic VOC compounds released from building materials include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, isocyanates, xylene, and benzene. VOCs are often emitted at high levels when a product is first installed and taper off to lower levels over time—related to cure time, or drying time, of components that are initially wet and ultimately dry. VOC emissions from solid materials, such as flooring, fabric, furniture and furnishings emit more slowly initially and maintain a low level of emissions over a longer period of time. Building materials wrapped in plastic at point of  manufacture and unwrapped at the project site can emit concentrated VOCs when uncovered.

Why are VOCs a problem?
Scientists first raised concerns over VOCs because many of them participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions, making smog. Many of them have direct health effects as well. Some VOCs have been associated with short-term acute

sick building syndrome symptoms, as well as other longer-term chronic health effects, such as damage to the liver, kidney and nervous systems, and increased cancer risk One of the VOCs of greatest concern is formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen. The potential environmental and health effects of formaldehyde have raised such high levels of
concern that international and national bodies have begun to set strict limitations on formaldehyde emissions from some product classes where formaldehyde can typically be found. Several countries have taken steps to
regulate formaldehyde emissions in fabrics including Japan, The Netherlands,Germany,Finland and Norway.
In addition to formaldehyde, other VOCs such as benzene, acetylaldehyde, toluene, and xylene raise health and environmental concerns. The solvent benzene, for example, is associated with the increased risk of leukemia, toluene (another solvent) is associated with lung cancer, and benzene, toluene and xylene are all associated with an increased risk of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. International and national agencies regulate releases of VOCs into the indoor and utdoor environments, as well as in occupational settings, including the U.S. EPA and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Other research bodies, such as the International Agency for  Research on Cancer (IARC), identify and rank VOCs by levels of concern. Often, the regulatory limits do not account for all the health impacts or for synergies of mixtures of VOCs that contribute to sick building syndrome and other health concerns when at low levels.

Where are VOCs Used in Health Care Buildings?
Building materials finishes and furniture that can contain VOCs include carpet, resilient flooring, fabrics, furniture, wall covering, ceiling tiles, composite wood products (built-in and modular casework), insulation, paints and coatings, adhesives, stains, sealants, and varnishes. Formaldehyde is used as a binder in composite wood and batt insulation, and in the fabric manufacturing process to prevent fabric from shrinking, for improved crease resistance, dimensional stability and color fastness. It is also used as a component of some finish treatments to enhance stain resistance.