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wili_hybrid
VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, are organic compounds that evaporate and enter the atmosphere. They are a significant contributor to both outdoor air pollution and especially indoor air pollution, where they can reach concentrations that are 2 to 5 times greater than that of outdoor air, and up to 1000 times greater depending on the activity. Many common substances found indoors significantly offgas and thus contribute to the high amount of VOCs in our indoor air: VOC's are often used in paint, carpet backing, plastics, and cosmetics. They are also generated by photocopiers, paint thinners, dry cleaning solvents, and tobacco smoke. VOCs are thought to significantly provide an adverse effect on indoor air quality.
VOCs also compromise outdoor air quality: one entire category of VOCs, methane, is a reenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Some other VOCs react with nitrous oxide already present in the air to form ozone, damaging crops and buildings and causing respiratory problems. VOCs are also sometimes accidentally released into the environment, causing damage to soil and groundwater.
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