Low-VOC Alternatives for the Products That Expose You to the Greatest Risk

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Low-VOC Alternatives for the Products That Expose You to the Greatest Risk They're not hard to find, you just have to look.



By Rachel Cernansky
Fri Nov 26, 2010 14:20




Since we've already talked about how harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are for the environment and for your health, and since they were in the news again this week (in California, manufacturers must reduce VOC levels in household cleaning products), I thought I'd run through some of the products that expose us to the most VOCs on an everyday basis—and some low-VOC alternatives.

They're a thing to take seriously: you're exposed to them on an everyday basis, both through commonly-used products like household cleaners, as well as through items you don't think much about, like carpeting, paint, and vinyl flooring—these products don't stop emitting VOCs the day you take them out of the store, or a week after installation. So here are a few ways to start de-VOCing your life.

For everyday use:
Look for cleaning products made with more natural ingredients—it's a big hint in itself when the ingredients are listed at all, since labels are not required to, and often don't, list the chemicals contained inside. Try BioKleen, Seventh Generation, Earth Choice, or suggest your favorite brand in the comments below.

There's even low-VOC industrial glass cleaner.

In the bathroom
For shower curtains—several common brands have been found to release 108 different VOCs into the air over a 28 day period—try going with fabric shower curtains (bonus: they're machine-washable!) or spring for some glass doors.

Around the house
If you're doing any redecorating, look into the installation process as well as the products themselves. Look for low-VOC carpets, for example, but don't forget the adhesive. Carpet adhesive (and other glue products) often contain high levels of VOCs and will pollute the air in your home, but low-VOC alternatives exist.

Need to degrease? No problem—choose from a surprising number of water- and soy-based alternatives.

Low-VOC paints are probably the easiest to find—which is good, considering paints, stains and related products are the second-largest source of VOC emissions (cars are the first). If you're more sensitive or just more concerned, make sure to look a little closer: "low-VOC" means 50 g/L or less, but you can find products with VOC levels lower than that—try to stay under the 25 g/L mark.

Quick note on paint: while we're focused on VOCs here, they're by no means the only chemical ingredient in paint. For the truly eco-friendliest product, look for brands certified by Green Seal or a similar authority to know that other toxic ingredients like heavy metals, carcinogens, and ozone-depleting compounds will not be painted onto the walls of your home.

Now this is just for the home—check out Health Canada's list of sources of VOCs in the office.