AQMD: Using Low VOC Products to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

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The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) defines volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the emission of harmful and destructive gases emanating from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, most of which could have short-term, or even more serious long-term adverse health effects. VOC’s are a direct effect to the spike in air pollution, and they are even more harmful indoors. Concentrations of most VOCs are consistently higher indoors—sometimes up to ten times higher than the concentrated count outdoors.

The AQMD warns that several organic chemicals that cause harmful pollutants are widely used in the ingredients of household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do numerous cleaning, disinfecting, and degreasing products. Most fuels consist of organic chemicals. All of the previously mentioned cleaning solvents and products release harmful organic compounds while you are using them, meaning you are likely oblivious to the fact that you are potentially hurting yourself by breathing in the chemicals and getting them on your skin.

The Environmental Protections Agency’s Office of Research and Development’s “Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study” have discovered air pollutant levels of more than a dozen common organic pollutants to be two to five times greater inside a home than outside, regardless of the location of the area, or if it was in a rural, suburban, or urban locale. TEAM studies indicate that while people are using solvents and cleaning products containing organic chemicals, they are exposing themselves and anyone around them to inordinately high pollutant levels. In addition, elevated concentrations of these harmful chemicals will sustain in the air at least a day—often longer—after cleaning has been completed.

This is why the AQMD stresses individuals and companies that use degreasers, solvents, or any type of cleaning product to make sure low VOC products are being used, whether it is outdoors or indoors. Low VOC products are ecofriendly, and significantly reduce the harmful emission of chemicals in gas or liquid form that hurt and endanger every person, as well as our beloved planet. The AQMD insists that, if you do frequently use harmful solvents and cleaning products indoors, that you immediately consider a switch to low VOC products to significantly reduce the threat of danger to yourself and to the environment.

Ecolink offers a variety of air friendly cleaning products.  Browse our products here.

Air Quality Management District – Low VOC Cleaners Keeping the Air Clean

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The purpose of the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is to act as the air pollution control agency for a given location, for example the South Coast Air Quality Management District oversees all of Orange County, including the urban areas of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino. Their job entails the collection of data on current air quality, provide forecasts to their designated areas and warning areas of hazardous air quality, as well as analyze the trends that spike the levels of pollutants.

The duty of the AQMD is to make sure that, if levels of air quality are in the danger zone, that preventive or restoring measures are taken to reduce the rise in negative air quality. A recommendation the Air Quality Management District might make is to suggest to companies the use of low volatile organic compounds (VOC) cleaners to help keep the air clean. Most people do not realize that numerous common cleaning products popular on the market actually contain hazardous chemicals and VOCs, which emit harmful chemicals that induce the forming of smog and are harmful to its oblivious users.

Substituting cleaning products that pollute the air and harm those around it with low VOC cleaners is an excellent way to improve air quality, which in turn protects and preserves our planet, along with individuals exposed to the chemicals emitted. VOC emissions from supposed safe cleaning products occur when the propellant and organic solvents evaporate. The just released harmful chemicals remain in the air all day—often longer than an entire day.

The key for the Air Quality Management District is to get people to understand how important it is for their company to switch to low VOC cleaners. Even though the health benefit to individuals and to our planet should be more than enough reason to make the change. It is reported that low VOC cleaners are actually more cost effective than traditional cleaners. A recent report estimated that for every one hundred janitors who decide to switch to low VOC cleaners, dangerous emissions could potentially drop by one ton each year. Studies have also shown that the use of low VOC products reduces the incidents of health problems among janitorial staffs.

Ecolink values the health and safety of our earth and for every individual. This is why we strive to make all of our degreasers and cleaning products as ecofriendly as possible. We support and abide by the rules and regulations of the Air Quality Management district. Browse our list of products here.