The Green Access Home at Suncadia is a 5-Star Built Green home meaning it has minimal toxicity or volatile organic compounds.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) refers to organic chemical compounds which have significant vapor pressures and which can affect the environment and human health. There are many types of VOCs which occur naturally and are man-made, however it is the anthropogenic VOCs that are regulated, especially for indoors where concentrations can be highest.
VOCs are typically not acutely toxic but have long term affects. Because the concentrations are usually low and the symptoms slow to develop, analysis of VOCs and their effects is a demanding and growing area.
VOCs can be found in:
- Paints, Coatings & Solvents
- Chlorofluorocarbons and chlorocarbons (which are banned!)
- Formaldehyde (such as in wood products, wall board)
Some of the symptoms of VOC exposure:
- Coughing, Sneezing, Headaches (flu like symptoms)
- Asthma
- Cancer
For a wiki definition of VOCs, click here.
- Jayme Mattson, Second Nature
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