VOC’s and why you should do your best to avoid them!
Exposure to toxins in our environment have never been higher than they are now. Every day, we encounter these (sometimes) unavoidable Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) in commonly used products you probably have in your home right now. A few examples include: fabric softeners, air fresheners, paints, carpets, flooring, aerosol sprays, pesticides/herbicides, cleaners and disinfectants and many more. The unavoidable ones would include gasoline and natural gas.
From Wikipedia: “Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. High vapor pressure correlates with a low boiling point, which relates to the number of the sample’s molecules in the surrounding air, a trait known as volatility.”
The major problem with VOC molecules is that they are easily accumulated in the air in your home and ultimately in your body by direct exposure. These compounds exist both naturally in our environment, but are also manufactured into products we use daily. Our children and pets are most susceptible to exposure through our actions and choices; which is why we should all take a second look at the ingredient labels for the items we use to clean our homes, wash our clothing and freshen up the house.
Prolonged exposure to VOC’s has been directly linked to an increased risk of cancer amongst a host of other uncomfortable symptoms such as difficulty breathing, skin rashes, headaches, loss of coordination, eye/nose/throat irritation as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous systems! You can read this study that detected over 30 VOC’s in the urine of cats and dogs tested. It was the first of its kind and will hopefully shed light on the need for stricter guidelines when it comes to manufacturing products for the public to use. Another study for human safety revealed undeniable links to respiratory illness, migraines, dermatitis and more.
It’s scary to think that something we’ve been so conditioned to using without a second thought (bounce sheets, air fresheners, perfumes etc) could possibly be causing any damage to our bodies or our pets. The takeaway here is to use more natural alternatives to the products you’ve come to know without knowing what they contained. Instead of Lysol wipes try good old fashioned vinegar! It’s effective at neutralizing odors, disinfecting surfaces and cuts through grime. Ditch the dryer sheets and opt for something more environmentally friendly. Stop using aerosol air fresheners or plug ins as these are known to be fire hazards as well as containing carcinogenic ingredients like formaldehyde. (Your popular scented melting waxes are NOT PET SAFE… Sorry to break it to you)
The list is long and a little bit scary, but all it takes is a second thought and some aisle hunting for an environmentally friendly option. Not only are you doing the planet a huge favour by spending a couple extra bucks for these options, but you are doing yourself and your pets a great service by avoiding them as well!
If you’re worried about something that you think has some potentially dangerous ingredients in it, it’s fairly simple to enter them into google and follow it with “risks”, “toxicity” or “dangers” and also by asking “is ____ a VOC?” and you will surely see for yourself. You are also welcome to shoot us a message to talk more about this! We pride ourselves on being able to offer suggestions to help you detoxify your home to live a healthier lifestyle. Convenience should never be held at a higher level than the health of your loved ones.
We obviously don’t want anyone to live in total fear or think we’re doling out conspiracy theories or anything, but it’s important for people to be knowledgeable about the products in their homes. We have to pick and choose our battles in life and sometimes we may not be able to afford all the luxuries that an all natural/holistic lifestyle has to offer, but that doesn’t mean we should fully submit to the idea of a world filled with toxic chemicals either. Take small steps in your life to build healthier habits in all aspects!