VOCs in household products: sources, California rules and how exposure is measured

Key facts

What are VOCs?

EPA describes VOCs as gases emitted from certain solids or liquids. Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products: paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals too.[6]

Formaldehyde is one of the best-known VOCs.[6]

Which household products release VOCs?

EPA lists these household sources of VOCs:[6]

• Paints, paint strippers and other solvents
• Wood preservatives
• Aerosol sprays
• Cleansers and disinfectants
• Moth repellents and air fresheners
• Stored fuels and automotive products
• Hobby supplies
• Dry-cleaned clothing
• Pesticides

EPA also names building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, and craft materials including glues, adhesives and permanent markers.[6]

These products can release organic compounds while you use them and, to some degree, while they are stored. EPA’s TEAM study found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, whether the homes were in rural or highly industrial areas.[6] EPA also estimates that Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors.[7]

California and federal VOC rules for consumer products

California (CARB). The California Air Resources Board’s Consumer Products Program works to reduce VOCs, toxic air contaminants and greenhouse gases emitted from chemically formulated consumer products, such as detergents, cleaning compounds, polishes, personal care products, home, lawn and garden products, aerosol paints and automotive specialty products. CARB explains that VOCs from these and other sources react in sunlight to form ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the main ingredients of smog.[8]

According to CARB, three regulations have set VOC limits for over 130 consumer product categories, and they reduced VOC emissions by about 50 percent between 1990 and 2020 relative to uncontrolled levels. CARB has also prohibited perchloroethylene, methylene chloride and trichloroethylene in a list of product categories that includes air fresheners and several cleaners, and has an Air Toxics Control Measure prohibiting para-dichlorobenzene, which had been used in air fresheners and toilet or urinal deodorant blocks.[8]

Federal (EPA). 40 CFR Part 59, Subpart C, the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Consumer Products, sets VOC content limits that manufacturers and importers must meet for listed consumer product categories made or imported on or after December 10, 1998.[9] For indoor air itself, EPA says no federally enforceable standards have been set for VOCs in non-industrial settings.[6]

Other states. The Ozone Transport Commission develops consensus-based model rules, including several phases of consumer products rules, for its members to use at their discretion. The OTC is not a regulatory authority, and each member decides whether to adopt a model rule and may modify it.[10]

Lowering VOCs at home

EPA’s practical steps for reducing exposure to VOCs from household products include:[6]

• Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs, and provide plenty of fresh air.
• Use household products according to the manufacturer’s directions and follow label precautions; if a label says to use a product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or use an area with an exhaust fan, or open windows.
• Never mix household care products unless directed on the label.
• Buy limited quantities that you will use soon.
• Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; EPA notes that gases can leak even from closed containers.

How VOC exposure is measured

Air tests measure the room. An indoor air sample shows what was in the air where and when it was collected. EPA notes that formaldehyde is one of the few indoor air pollutants that can be readily measured.[6]

Breath and urine tests measure the person. Benzene, for example, can be measured in breath shortly after exposure, and many VOCs are tracked through their breakdown products (metabolites) in urine. Our guide to benzene exposure testing explains how this works for benzene. Urine VOC metabolites reflect recent uptake rather than long-term storage.[1]

Intrinsic Prism lists 11 VOC metabolites measured in urine; you can see each one in the volatile organic compound rows of What we Test.[1] To see which everyday exposures may apply to you, try the household toxin exposure estimator, and for sourced figures across topics, see our toxin exposure statistics.

Where Intrinsic Prism fits

Related guides

• Benzene and VOC exposure testing
• Household toxin exposure estimator (free tool)
• All toxin exposure statistics
• Full marker directory (What we Test)
• Microplastics and plastic chemicals test
• The Intrinsic Prism test, explained

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Frequently asked questions

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids. Many household products, including paints, cleaners, disinfectants, cosmetics and hobby products, contain them.[6]

Are VOC levels higher indoors?

EPA says concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors, up to ten times higher, than outdoors.[6]

Does California limit VOCs in household products?

Yes. CARB says three regulations set VOC limits for over 130 consumer product categories.[8]

Can a test show my VOC exposure?

An air test shows what is in a room. Breath and urine tests look at the person; urine VOC metabolites reflect recent uptake rather than long-term storage.[1]