Some VOCs cause cancer, endocrine disruption
Because there are so many VOCs and because some are more toxic—and have been tested more thoroughly—than others, you could study biochemistry for a year and still not fully understand how volatile organic compounds affect human health. But the toxicity coming from some VOCs is straightforward. A quick example is benzene. Almost all decorative glossy paints sold in the United States contain benzene, a colorless liquid that ranks in the top 20 chemicals produced in our country.
Benzene is also found in paint thinners, detergents, dyes, bug sprays, nylon and other synthetic fibers.
Benzene is a known carcinogen.
In the words of the World Health Organization, benzene “has been associated with a range of acute and long-term adverse health effects and diseases…”.
The HealthCare Blog 