VOC Content In General
“VOC” is the acronym used for “Volatile Organic Compounds” and in this regard we mean organic chemical compounds which may affect human health and the environment. They are characteristic for containing significant vapor pressures which can be varied, many and also ubiquitous. They are naturally occurring as well as man-made and although anthropogenic (human impact on the environment) VOC’s are regulated for indoor paints, there are still paints with various levels of VOC’s which are available to the broader market.
In terms of the effects, volatile organic compounds are not massively toxic, but they can have an accumulative effect and cause symptoms which are slow to develop. More people today are spending long hours in offices or indoors working at home, and therefore the potential of prolonged exposure has been found to exist. Exposure may contribute to sick building syndrome, relative leukemia and also lymphoma. Indoor concentrations can be 2 to 5 times higher than the air out-of-doors, and in winter this is worse.
In our natural atmosphere the main VOC produced is isoprene and this derives from plants. It is also interesting to note that only 10% of the biological level of VOC emissions is man-made. You have seen what happens with a forest fire and how quickly it spreads? This is to a large extent due to terpenes, such as myrcene which is emitted exclusively from the leaves of trees. On a hot day in August in a forest during growing season, massive amounts of volatile organic compounds are released into the air. Yes, your trees produce masses of VOC’s and this is why forests are fire hazards!
In terms of man-made volatile organic compounds; in the majority these are contained in solvents - in particular protective coatings and paints! The solvent part of the equation is necessary to spread the decorative product. Due to the fact that there are environmental and health concerns regarding man-made VOC’s and strict regulations are in place to control substances such as glycol ethers, acetone, ethyl acetate and aliphatic hydrocarbons; more paint manufacturers are using aqueous or water-based solvents.
Shades of Green
Shades Of Green for example is a measurement scale used by Livingreen management, so that a customer can judge for themselves how sustainable a paint, wall coating or any other item is. There are paints which are manufactured with very low VOC content and are free of any airborne particles which may be unhealthy. Shades of green also incorporates products which are manufactured from recycled materials – these look great and we know for a fact that recycling helps divert landfill use. Find organic furnishing, both soft and hard, non-VOC finishing materials and many products designed specifically for people who are chemically sensitive. Each shade of green measurement helps to guide the customer in all of these regards. Livingreen has an established reputation for carrying a good selection of brands, products, colors, stains and finishes that are non-toxic as well as zero-VOC.
![LG_Nwsltr_eWaste_Apr10[1]](https://88b15c2d6a-custmedia.vresp.com/34b0e924ce/LG_Nwsltr_eWaste_Apr10[1].jpg "LG_Nwsltr_eWaste_Apr10[1]")
Livingreen is proud to offer Woca Oils with an introductory offer of 10% off until April 30.
