By avoiding exposure to poor indoor air quality, you can reduce health risks. Of particular concern are the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are part of life inside our homes and businesses. Here is some basic information about these contaminants and what you can do about them.
What Are VOCs?
These gases come from products made from hydrocarbons. The number of products that contain VOCs is nearly endless. You’ll find them in cleaning supplies, makeup, perfumes, air fresheners, anything with artificial perfumes, vehicle exhaust, yard and pool chemicals, dry cleaning, and home remodeling products.
Products that contain VOCs tend to off-gas more when the weather is warmer, which is what makes them such a concern in Phoenix, where the weather is warm practically all year long. The odds of VOCs affecting you are higher with prolonged exposure. They’ve been known to cause nervous system problems, along with milder reactions like respiratory irritations, headaches, or the flu.
Avoiding Exposure
Avoidance is the best way to minimize your exposure to indoor air pollutants. To some extent, avoidance is possible. Look for labels on plastics, paints, finishes, flooring, and wood products for your home that indicate they’re low in VOCs.
Using Mechanical Means
Fortunately, there are two ways you can minimize VOCs in your home by using your HVAC system. The first and least expensive is to use UV lights in your HVAC system. Placed in the ductwork or the air handler, UV light exposure minimizes the harm that VOCs do.
Another way to lower the VOCs in the air is to use a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). These remarkable appliances pull out the stale indoor air and replace it with fresh unpolluted air. Their cores contain heat exchange technology that strips the energy from the outgoing air and puts it into the incoming air, minimizing your cooling costs.
Learning More
VOCs are a chief concern to the pros at Plumbing & A/C Medic. We can help you find a way to avoid polluted air in your home if you live in Phoenix, AZ, or any of the surrounding areas. In fact, our crew can help with various heating and air conditioning services.
