Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)

Definition

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and are released into the air from various sources such as paints, solvents, cleaning agents, and fuels. They contribute to air pollution both indoors and outdoors.

Related terms

Ozone Layer Depletion: Some VOCs contribute to ozone layer depletion when they react with other pollutants in the presence of sunlight. This leads to thinning of Earth's protective ozone layer.

Smog:

VOCs, when combined with nitrogen oxides and sunlight, can form smog. Smog is a type of air pollution that appears as a hazy mixture of pollutants and can have harmful effects on human health.

Photochemical Reaction: VOCs play a crucial role in photochemical reactions, which occur when sunlight interacts with certain chemicals in the atmosphere. These reactions can lead to the formation of secondary pollutants such as ozone and smog.