VOC - Volatile Organic Compounds

A Volatile Organic Compound, or "VOC" is defined as an organic solvent that can evaporate at ambient temperatures. This is a broad definition that covers a wide range of chemicals. VOCs tend to have strong and distinct smells.

Some of the VOCs commonly used are:

Aldehydes
Ketones, such as methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK)
Hydrocarbons such as hexane
Benzene, methyl benzene and trichlorobenzene
Toluene
Xylene
Turpentine
Methylene chloride (dichloromethane)
Tetrachloroethylene (dry cleaning solvent, usually known asperchlorethylene or "perc")
Trichloroethylene (spot cleaners)

For the textiles and leather industries, these VOCs are typically used in printing inks, paints, glues and cleaning agents.

Due to their volatility, they are emitted either directly or indirectly into air in many production processes.The emission of volatile organic compounds causes pollution to the environment and depletion of the ozone layer. Numerous health hazards are associated with these products.

Legislation covers factory and product emissions, e.g.

- 1999/13/EC - the EU Solvent Emissions Directive
- 2004/42/EC - the EU Paints Directive
- The traditional use of "trike" (trichloroethylene) as a spot cleaner for garments is prohibited worldwide because the chemical is banned under the "Montreal Protocol".
- The toxic and carcinogenic solvent benzene, commonly used for cleaning purposes in factories, is banned in toys and the production of toys.

Where possible VOCs should be replaced with water based or non-solvent based alternatives.