When you start polishing your floor or lighting some candles, you probably don’t think twice about what you’re doing. However, these common household products are ones that you need to watch out for as they could be full of potentially harmful products that could impact the health of you and your family.
These products (including cleaning supplies and plastics – and even mothballs!) contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are organic chemicals that can be emitted from a whole host of different sources and are particularly harmful when they’re indoors, especially if there are children in the house.
But don’t panic, because these VOCs can be easily removed (or at least reduced) throughout your home. The first thing that you need to do is to make sure any products that contain VOCs are stored outside of the house, e.g. in the garage or the shed. But if you do need to use a product that contains VOCs, there are a number of air filtration options that can help you to manage your health by decreasing your consumption.
If you want to try and rid these harmful chemicals from your home, below you’ll find just some of the main culprits and what VOC-free options are available:
Acetone
This is found in wallpaper, furniture polish and nail polish remover but alternative VOC-free ones are available. In fact, using a nail polish remover that’s acetone-free is actually better for your nails, so try opting for one that uses a different solvent such as alcohol. You’ll also find that there are several water-based solutions for your furniture polish too, and they’ll still help you to get the job done.
Benzene
This harmful chemical can be found in carpeting, glue and paint as well as emissions from gasoline combustion. This is something that injury lawyers such as Black and Johnson deal with, so if you think you’ve been exposed to benzene chemicals outside of your home, companies like these will be able to offer you advice.
However, for use in the home, you will find that you can source glue and paint that are benzene-free and much healthier for you and your family.
Butanal
Emissions from cigarettes, stoves, burning candles and barbecues are the main things you’ll find butanal in. So in order to avoid these VOCs in your home, you’ll need to refrain from smoking while also trying to avoid inhaling secondhand smoke from other smokers. In the majority of cases, stoves that contain butanal are outdoor or camping stoves, which should be used outside anyway.
If you want to burn candles in your home; cotton-wicked, soy-based or beeswax candles will still provide you with that lovely warm glow but are safer to burn.
Dichlorobenzene
Deodorizers and mothballs are where you’ll find these VOCs. So, try to use cedar chips, garment bags or air-tight containers instead of mothballs when you’re storing your clothes ready for another season. Moths are also deterred by the scent of lavender.
Formaldehyde
Certain molded plastics and floor lacquers contain formaldehyde. You will be able to find some floor lacquers that offer water-based polyurethane finishes; these are still strong but have much lower toxic levels. There’s also natural floor finishes that are plant-chemical-based. If you can, it’s best to exclude as much plastic as possible from your daily life, but the safest type of plastic to use is BPA-free.
Terpenes
Often found in laundry detergents or fragrant products like soap, terpenes can be avoided if you use citrus-based or natural products where you can. Many of these are available so you can substitute a detergent or scented soap that emits terpenes quite easily.
Toluene
These VOCs are found in paint so it’s always worth checking a tin of paint to see if it contains toluene before you add a fresh coat to your home. If it does, you can still use it; just make sure you’re allowing enough air to circulate around the room by opening a window. For any DIY projects, e.g. painting furniture, do these outside to prevent these harmful VOCs from being emitted.
Xylene
This is found in idling cars and traffic emissions and unfortunately, when you’re on the open road, these are unavoidable. However, when you’re in heavy traffic you can keep your windows shut to prevent these gasses from entering your car and always turn your car’s engine off when it’s in the garage. Furthermore, if you do need to use a product that contains xylene, it’s best to wear gloves and protective eye and mouth gear.
Summer Connolly is a vegan Mom who writes about living a greener lifestyle and being aware of all the chemicals we are bombarded with daily that could affect our health.
1 comment
very thanks!