How are VOCs formed?

Burning fossil fuels also results in the release of VOCs into the atmosphere. Natural processes, like plant and animal respiration and organic decomposition, also release VOCs into the atmosphere. VOCs are an important pollutant because of their contribution to the formation of ground-level ozone.

Is isopropyl alcohol photochemically reactive?

Not the type you drink, but rather the one used in the home for cleaning and disinfecting, this particular VOC is usually referred to as isopropyl alcohol. It’s prone to photochemical reactions, meaning it evaporates quickly at room temperature and is commonly found in high concentrations.

Are VOCs and hydrocarbons the same thing?

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed primarily of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Many of these compounds are volatile and can easily vaporize into the atmosphere at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and are referred to as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

What is photochemically reactive?

“Photochemically reactive material” means any organic material with an aggregate of more than 20 percent of its total volume composed of the chemical compounds classified below or the composition of which exceeds any of the following individual percentage composition limitations.

What does VOC stand for?

Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are found in many products we use to build and maintain our homes. Once these chemicals are in our homes, they are released or “off-gas” into the indoor air we breathe.

Is pah a VOC?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carbonyl compounds are the major organic pollutants in the atmosphere. Traditionally, emission sources are identified from organic compounds in air particulates.

What are volatile hydrocarbons?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic molecules – specifically hydrocarbons – that are classified as a pollutant as they produce undesirable effects in the atmosphere. They are defined as volatile because they evaporate quickly and easily into the air.

Why are VOCs used?

Volatile organic compounds are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. VOCs are common ground-water contaminants.

What are the harmful effects of VOCs?

Health effects may include:

Eye, nose and throat irritation.
Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea.
Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system.
Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

What is a low photochemical reactivity VOC?

Special attention is given to the criteria EPA uses to select VOCs for exemption from control because of low photochemical reactivity. Photochemical reactivity is a measure of how much a compound reacts in the atmosphere and contributes to the formation of ozone. Often the term is shortened to just “reactivity.”

What are photoreactive organic compounds?

Photoreactive organic compounds (PROCs), a subset of VOCs, are chemically reactive in sunlight. Although substantial controls on PROCs are in effect, parts of California, New Jersey, and New York will not be able to attain the ozone standard unless further PROC emission reductions occur.

What is photochemical reactivity and why is it important?

Photochemical reactivity is an important consideration when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) thinks about controlling organic solvent emissions to prevent ozone or smog formation. Because the paint industry is a heavy user of solvents, it might be valuable for paint industry personnel to become familiar with this issue.

Which is the most photochemically reactive compound?

Ethane is the most photochemically reactive of the compounds listed in the 1977 list and has, for years, served as EPA’s “benchmark” compound.