Basic Description |  Scoring Protocols |  Definitions |  Issues

Problem:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are toxic checmials that can vaporize and outgas from building products into a gas in the air and are inhaled by occupants.

Goal:

 Eliminate content and emissions of VOCs that may endanger the health of building occupants and neighbors.

Ideal:

 There is no content in the product or material, nor measured emission from the product, of a VOC. Optimal materials and products also will not contain chemicals that can breakdown or react with other compounds in the product or in its environment to result in the generation of VOCs. They also will be designed for installation and use without the use of supplemental products (such as adhesives and finishes) that contain or emit VOCs or that breakdown or react to result in the generation of VOCs.