Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are among the most common and widespread pollutants in today’s industrial and commercial environments. A variety of products and processes emit them — everything from paint and solvents to manufacturing equipment and fuel storage. While VOCs play important roles in countless applications, they also contribute significantly to air pollution, smog formation, and potential health hazards.
As industries and regulators continue to emphasize cleaner air and sustainable practices, understanding what VOCs are, where they come from, and how to remove them effectively has never been more important. Here at General Carbon, we specialize in effective, reliable VOC removal solutions.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about VOCs, their impact on people and the environment, and the technologies — such as activated carbon adsorption — that help capture and control these emissions.
What Are VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a broad class of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate into the air under normal temperature and pressure conditions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines VOCs as organic compounds that can participate in atmospheric reactions, often leading to the formation of ground-level ozone and smog.
You can think of them as gases that escape from liquids or solids, often without us noticing. Because of this volatility, VOCs can build up indoors or contribute to outdoor pollution when released during manufacturing, painting, cleaning, or fuel use. Common examples of VOCs include:
- Benzene, toluene, and xylene (found in fuels and solvents)
- Formaldehyde (found in building materials and furnishings)
- Acetone (used in cleaning agents and cosmetics)
- Methylene chloride (used in paint strippers and adhesives)
Sources of VOCs
VOCs can come from both natural and human-made sources. Natural VOCs include emissions from vegetation, wildfires, and biological decay, but the majority of dangerous VOC emissions today stem from industrial and commercial activity. VOCs are so widespread because nearly every industry and household product emits some level of these compounds, making management and mitigation critical to health and environmental safety.
Common sources include:
- Paints, coatings, and varnishes: VOCs are released as these materials dry or cure.
- Cleaning products and solvents: Many household and industrial cleaners contain high-VOC chemicals.
- Fuel storage and combustion: Gasoline, diesel, and other fuels emit VOCs during storage, transfer, and combustion.
- Manufacturing processes: Petrochemical, pharmaceutical, electronics, and plastics industries often use VOC-rich solvents and intermediates.
- Consumer goods: Air fresheners, cosmetics, and adhesives can release VOCs slowly over time.
How VOCs Impact Our Health and the Environment
VOCs don’t just affect the air we breathe — they alter the chemical makeup of the atmosphere and can accumulate indoors, impacting air quality in both residential and industrial spaces.
In addition, many VOCs are colorless and odorless, which means that people may be exposed without realizing it. This makes consistent monitoring and mitigation critical for safety and compliance.
Health Risks
VOCs can adversely affect human health, depending on the compound, concentration, duration of exposure, and individual susceptibility. Indoor environments can have VOC levels two to five times higher than outdoor air, especially in spaces with poor ventilation or heavy use of synthetic materials. Some possible side effects of VOC exposure include:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue
- Respiratory distress or asthma aggravation
- Liver, kidney, or central nervous system damage (from prolonged exposure)
- Increased risk of certain cancers (e.g., from exposure to benzene and methylene chloride)
Environmental Impact
Beyond their impact on our health, VOCs contribute to a range of environmental problems. When VOCs react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) in sunlight, they form ground-level ozone — a major component of smog. High ozone and oxidants can damage vegetation, reduce crop yields, and disrupt ecosystems. VOCs can also seep into groundwater or soil, posing long-term contamination risks.
Industries That Produce VOCs
Many industries either produce VOCs or must control them to meet environmental standards. In these industries, controlling VOC emissions is not only a compliance requirement but also a key step in protecting workers, communities, and the environment. The following are some of the industries that produce VOCs:
- Paint, varnish, and lacquer
- Printing and packaging
- Petrochemical and refinery operations
- Pharmaceutical
- Electronics
- Dry cleaning and textile finishing
- Automotive
- Cosmetics
- Food and beverage
VOC Removal Methods
Fortunately, VOC removal can be effective and relatively uncomplicated to implement. There are physical, chemical, and biological treatments that can remove VOCs by either containing them or destroying them. Each treatment is suited to different applications, and many facilities use a hybrid approach that combines multiple technologies for maximum efficiency and cost savings.
One of the most widely used and reliable physical methods is adsorption, particularly through activated carbon systems. Because VOCs are carbon-based, activated carbon can effectively capture them. The adsorption properties allow it to attract and hold onto these carbon-containing compounds, removing them from the air or water.
However, activated carbon adsorption is only one of the methods of removing VOCs. The following table highlights the various VOC removal methods and their pros and cons.
| Method | Description | Advantages | Limitations |
| Activated Carbon Adsorption | VOCs pass through activated carbon and get trapped. The carbon can later be regenerated or replaced. | Simple, effective, reusable, and cost-efficient for low-to-moderate concentrations. | Carbon requires replacement or regeneration. Effectiveness depends on VOC concentrations, adsorbability, humidity and temperature. |
| Thermal Oxidation | High temperatures destroy VOCs, converting them to CO2 and water vapor. | Very high destruction efficiency. | Energy-intensive. May form secondary pollutants (e.g., NOx). |
| Catalytic Oxidation | Uses catalysts to promote oxidation at lower temperatures. | Lower energy use than thermal oxidation. | Catalyst can degrade or become poisoned by certain compounds. |
| Wet Scrubbing | VOCs are dissolved or reacted in a liquid medium. | Effective for soluble VOCs. | Generates wastewater that requires treatment. |
| Biofiltration | Microbes in a filter medium degrade VOCs naturally. | Sustainable and cost-effective for low concentrations. | Limited by biological conditions and slower reaction times. |
VOC Removal Solutions From General Carbon
At General Carbon, we specialize in activated carbon designed to remove VOCs safely and effectively. Our solutions can be configured to match a wide range of airflows, chemical compositions, and environmental conditions.
Our systems feature:
- High-efficiency activated carbon
- Activated carbon changeout services
- Modular and scalable adsorption equipment designs for any facility size
- Integration with other control technologies as needed
- Ongoing technical support that ensures your adsorption system is running properly
Whether you need a primary treatment system or a final “polishing” step to meet emissions targets, our expert team can provide a solution that delivers long-term reliability and compliance. Visit our VOC Removal page to learn more.
Safeguard Industrial Operations With Reliable VOC Removal Solutions
Volatile organic compounds are a persistent and widespread challenge, but with the right technology and expertise, their impact can be significantly reduced. Understanding where VOCs come from and how they behave is the first step toward safer air and water, healthier workplaces, and cleaner communities.
General Carbon has decades of experience supplying activated carbon products and systems designed specifically for VOC removal. By partnering with us, you can protect your people, processes, and community while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Looking for a VOC removal solution? Contact General Carbon today to learn how our activated carbon systems can help you effectively and safely eliminate volatile organic compounds from your operations.