volatile organic compounds


volatile organic compounds

[¦väl·ə·təl ȯr‚gan·ik ′käm‚pau̇nz] (engineering) Organic chemicals that produce vapors readily at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure, including gasoline and solvents such as toluene, xylene, and tetrachloroethylene. They form photochemical oxidants (including ground-level ozone) that affect health, damage materials, and cause crop and forest losses. Many are also hazardous air pollutants. Abbreviated VOC.