Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Characteristics: Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are a principal
component in atmospheric reactions that form ozone and other
photochemical oxidants. VOCs are emitted from diverse sources,
including automobiles, chemical manufacturing facilities,
drycleaners, paint shops and other commercial and residential
sources that use solvent and paint. The term, volatile organic
compound is defined in federal rules as a chemical that
participates in forming ozone. Methane, a nonreactive compound is
not a VOC, nor are other oganic chemicals with negligible
photochemical reactivity.
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Sources: VOCs are emitted from transportation and industrial
sources, such as automobile exhaust, gasoline/oil storage and
transfer, chemical manufacturing, dry cleaners, paint shops and
other facilities using solvents.