---
title: "Volatile Organic Compounds — AP Enviro Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and react with NOx and sunlight to form photochemical smog, a core idea in APES Unit 7."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-enviro/key-terms/volatile-organic-compounds"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Environmental Science"
---

# Volatile Organic Compounds — AP Enviro Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They are released from various sources such as paints, solvents, cleaning products, and even some plants. VOCs can contribute to air pollution and have both short-term and long-term health effects.

## Related Study Guides

- [7.3 Thermal Inversion](/ap-enviro/unit-7/thermal-inversion/study-guide/ce59eexgwIH6eJTg5c3s)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Ozone Layer](/ap-enviro/key-terms/ozone-layer): A layer of ozone gas located in the Earth's stratosphere that protects us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. VOCs can react with other pollutants to deplete the ozone layer.
- Indoor Air Pollution: The presence of pollutants indoors, often caused by VOCs emitted from building materials, furniture, cleaning products, etc.
- Photochemical Smog: A type of smog formed when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. It is commonly found in urban areas with high levels of vehicle emissions.