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Article Summary:
This article describes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) , including our measurement methodology and common health effects associated with high VOC levels.
Article Overview:
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VOCs Explained
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Health Effects of VOCs
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Why Does Glow Measure Total VOCs?
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Which VOCs Can Glow Detect?
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How Can I Manage VOCs?
VOCs Explained
Awair measures and reports the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds in your air, otherwise known as VOCs. VOCs are naturally occurring and man-made chemicals that have a range of health impacts. Products such as cigarettes, hair spray, building materials, and furniture all produce VOCs that range in severity and concentration. Glow and Awair both measure the total amount of VOCs (tVOCs) in the indoor area, which is the industry standard for measurement. This measurement should be understood as a hygiene metric: if VOCs are routinely high, you should consider ordering additional testing from specialized equipment.
Health Effects of VOCs
VOCs are a common indoor pollutant found in many household products and building materials. Chronic exposure to high VOC levels can aggravate existing skin and respiratory conditions such as eczema and asthma. It can also contribute to the development of more serious diseases such as cancer.
Exposure to moderate levels of VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, conjunctival irritation, and pharyngitis.
Glow’s Total VOC index provides benchmarks to help you understanding your daily exposure.