Clean Air Primer

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds - VOCs
These volatile gases, also known as reactive organic compounds, are hydrocarbon leftovers emitted into the air when fossil fuels don't burn completely. They also get into the air when gasoline, paints and other products evaporate. When volatile organic compounds meet nitrogen oxides and oxygen in the air, with sunlight to bake the brew, a new chemical combination is formed--ozone, the major ingredient of SMOG.

Where
VOCs are emitted by vehicles, manufacturing, and consumer products including hair sprays, engine degreasers, anti-perspirants and deodorants, air fresheners, windshield washer fluids, charcoal lighter fluid, and household cleaners used by over 30 million Californians. In fact, consumer products account for new emissions equal to 20 million new cars driving 10,000 miles each year.

How It Hurts
Volatile organic compounds are a major ingredient of ozone. Ozone causes lung damage, reduces the amount of air the lungs can take in, and contributes to hundreds of millions of dollars of crop and forest damage each year.

Back to Ozone At A Glance