Science These toxic chemicals hurt the environment and human health Written by Oscar Collins January 10, 2023January 25, 2023 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emissions from ordinary household goods. Sources include paint, cleaning products, gasoline, and flooring. Side effects depend on the amount of exposure and VOC concentration in the room. Long-term exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage and problems with the central nervous system. Experts are concerned with VOCs in the air because they form ground-level ozone during reactions with nitrogen oxide. Some products are more friendly to humans and the environment because they reduce the impact of VOCs. Dig deeper → 5 min