Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere are considered toxic air. In our daily lives, we receive this type of substance from many products such as paints, cigarette smoke, bleach, printing solvents, car paint shops, industrial plants, dry cleaning liquids, hair dyes and perming agents, pesticides, substances resulting from combustion and air pollution, drinking water, food, and beverages. They are commonly used in industrial plants that use solvents, such as plastic factories, refineries, petrochemicals, shoe factories, furniture, and car assembly plants.

VOCs cause high ozone in the atmosphere to enter the atmosphere near the earth. And this ozone will cause harm to humans, such as causing illness, discomfort, sore throat, difficulty breathing, irritation of the eyes, cornea, nose, throat, chest, cough, headache.

Effects of volatile organic compounds

Acute toxicity
Exposure to benzene at high concentrations by breathing causes central nervous system depression, irregular heartbeat, lethargy, dizziness, rapid breathing, headache, palpitations, dizziness, unconsciousness, and death due to respiratory failure.

Chronic toxicity
Toxicity from exposure to benzene at low concentrations for a long time will stimulate blood products such as reduced red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets, reduced immune system, and may have minor headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, and stomach discomfort. If there is severe toxicity, fatigue, blurred vision, and difficulty breathing may occur.

Immune effects
Causes the immune system to be disturbed or destroyed. The potential to prevent infectious diseases is reduced. For example, from a population study by testing blood and skin in people near a toxic chemical waste dump, it was found that there were more substances in the blood than those who were farther away. The longer you are in that area, the more you receive. The difference is clear. In addition, white blood cells of the population near the toxic waste will have lower white blood cells than in the population that is farther away. Effects on the nervous system
Exposure to volatile organic compounds can cause a variety of depressant effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, depression, or unconsciousness. The effects are amplified.

Reproductive toxicity
Women exposed to benzene through inhalation at high concentrations may affect the reproductive system, causing reproductive defects in women, including irregular menstruation due to reduced ovarian size and difficulty in conceiving due to injury to the reproductive organs. However, studies are quite limited.

Other adverse health effects
• VOCs may affect other health systems, including genetics, hormonal systems, and may cause some cancers and reproductive diseases, such as infertility, birth defects, and gender-change disorders.
• The extent to which VOCs affect health depends on the properties of the chemical, the amount received, the body's biological conditions, and other factors.
• If received in large quantities, it causes damage to the central nervous system, i.e., it depresses the central nervous system, which may cause immediate symptoms and unconsciousness.
• In the case of exposure to small amounts of VOCs for a long time, it can cause chronic problems, may cause cancer, and degeneration of internal organ tissues.

Ways to prevent harm from VOCs
• Avoid using products that contain high VOCs, such as choosing new products that do not contain VOCs.
• Avoid foam and plastic containers, and microwave food.
• Stop smoking.
• Open the house to ventilate.
• Use an air purifier.
• Avoid heavy traffic as much as possible.

People who are at higher risk of harm from VOCs than the general public are those with respiratory problems, such as those with asthma, young children, the elderly, and those who are highly sensitive to chemicals. In addition, the general public who work and live near sources of VOCs are also at risk.