By Caroline Owusu, Ian Morris, and Mikee Octobre in partnership with Climate Talks /Emory University
What are VOCs, and why do they matter?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds with high vapor pressure that easily evaporate at room temperature. These compounds contribute to air pollution, and can be especially hazardous in indoor areas with limited ventilation. Some common examples include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and limonene.
Exposure to VOCs can trigger respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and long-term health problems, including neurological effects and cancer.
Chemistry of VOCs
Chloroform (CHCl₃) forms when bleach reacts with organic compounds, such as acetone, which is also present in polishers and some cleaning products:
NaOCl (bleach) + organic matter → CHCl₃ + other byproducts
Incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons (from smoking, gas stoves, candles) releases formaldehyde (HCHO) and benzene (C₆H₆):
CH₄ (methane) + O₂ → HCHO + CO + other VOCs
Where are VOCs Present in custodial work?
VOCs are emitted as you handle cleaning supplies, personal care products, paints, varnishes, and building materials, as well as aerosol sprays. For instance, bleach reacts with urine or soap scum to form chloroform, a potential carcinogen which can lead to dizziness or even liver damage following prolonged exposure.
More generally, even dry-cleaned clothing, air fresheners, and activities like cooking, smoking, and photocopying contribute to VOC emissions.
Studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels.
— EPA 2024
Real world case study: Emory University’s Mitigation strategies
Emory University, raking 5th in the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges (Princeton 2025), has successfully reduced VOC exposure for its cleaning staff, encouraging the use of vacuum cleaners or microfiber mops instead of mops treated with high VOC-content solvent, as well as using fragrance-free cleaning supplies.
Perhaps janitorial workers may even want their own, portable detection devices, to be notified when exposed to concerning concentrations of VOCs. Photoionization detectors (PID) for VOCs may constitute an option. They specialize in identifying and quantifying VOC levels in the environment utilizing advanced sensors to track fluctuations in air quality to provide real-time data that is crucial for health and safety assessments in indoor spaces.
Photo Credit: © Rion Rizzo.
VOC Health Effects
Volatile organic compounds pose both immediate and long-term health risks that custodial staff should recognize. Short-term exposure often results in eye, nose, and throat irritation along with headaches, which may seem minor but signal potentially harmful exposure. More concerning are the long-term consequences of regular VOC contact, which can include serious damage to vital organs like the liver and kidneys, impacts on the central nervous system, increased cancer risk, and various neurological effects that may develop gradually over years of exposure.
What Custodians Need to Know
When working with products containing VOCs, custodians should prioritize identifying which cleaning agents, solvents, and materials release these compounds during regular maintenance tasks. Understanding product labels, safety data sheets, and implementing protective measures—such as proper ventilation, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, and using greener alternatives when possible—can significantly reduce daily exposure. Regular breaks from high-VOC environments and scheduling intensive cleaning during low-occupancy periods are practical strategies that empower custodial staff to protect themselves while still effectively performing their essential work.
A janitor’s VOC safety protocol
In order to reduce custodial workers’ exposure to VOCs, proactive safety measures are essential. The first and most effective step is switching to certified low-VOC cleaning products, such as those approved by Green Seal or Safer Choice, which dramatically reduce airborne chemical concentrations (EPA, 2024). Reading product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is also crucial, as janitors should be trained to identify hazard symbols and avoid products containing chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, or toluene. Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and properly fitted masks should be worn whenever chemical exposure is possible, especially in confined or poorly ventilated areas. However, PPE should only be treated as the final line of defense after all other control methods have been implemented (OSHA 2019). Additionally, janitors should always ensure adequate airflow by using exhaust fans, opening windows when possible, and avoiding cleaning in enclosed spaces during peak occupancy. Work schedules can also be adjusted so that tasks involving high-VOC products, such as stripping floors or waxing, are performed after hours or during low-traffic times.
What employers must provide: Know Your rights
Institutions play a critical role in safeguarding custodial workers from the harmful effects of VOC exposure. While personal habits and product choices matter, long-term change relies on systemic action. At an organizational level, schools, hospitals, and universities must embed VOC-conscious practices into their procurement policies, prioritizing contracts with vendors who supply low-emission products, such as Green Seal and Safer Choice. Beyond purchasing products, institutions need to provide structured training programs that educate janitorial staff about indoor air quality, chemical safety rights under OSHA, and the adverse long-term health effects of VOC exposure.
Employee empowerment also requires giving staff a voice: institutions should establish formal channels for janitors to report product-related health concerns, request safer alternatives, or flag ventilation issues without fear of a negative response. Aligning institutional sustainability goals with occupational health policies can lead to healthier work environments and increased staff retention, ultimately benefiting the institution. VOC mitigation is not just a matter of compliance. It’s a shared responsibility where institutions must lead by example and ensure that their staff are supported, informed, and protected.
Recap: Long-term goals for safer custodial work environments
Effective VOC mitigation isn’t a one-time fix. It requires a long-term commitment to institutional health, safety, and sustainability.
Integrating VOC reduction into broader environmental health initiatives, such as LEED certification, helps ensure that air quality remains a long-term priority rather than a temporary trend. For custodial teams, the focus goes beyond using safer products; it’s about fostering a work environment where health is routinely checked on, staff feel empowered to speak up, and there’s a clear commitment to making the workplace better over time.
The following table offers a starting point that institutions or individuals can implement to protect their health, the health of others, and the environment:
Additional tools and resources to learn more about indoor workplace VOC exposure and mitigation strategies
Emory University Green Cleaning Manual
Green Offices at Emory Guidance Document
WHO Guidelines for indoor air quality: Selected pollutants
References and Scientific Articles:
1. General VOC sources & occupational exposure
- EPA (2023). Volatile Organic Compounds’ Impact on Indoor Air Quality. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
- OSHA (2023). Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs). https://www.osha.gov/chemicaldata
- Minnesota Department of Health (2023). VOCs and Health. https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/toxins/voc.htm
2. Bleach/Cleaning Product Reactions & Chlorinated VOCs
- Odabasi, M. (2012). Halogenated VOCs from Chlorine Bleach Use. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46(19), 10356–10363. DOI:10.1021/es300511w
- EPA (2023). Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) List. https://www.epa.gov/haps
- NIOSH (2023). Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (Chloroform, Carbon Tetrachloride). https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg
3. Ammonia Reactions & Secondary Pollutants
- Wolkoff, P., et al. (2006). Organic Compounds in Office Environments. Indoor Air 16(1), 7–19. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00393.x
- EPA (2023). Safer Choice Criteria for Cleaning Products. https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice
4. Ozone Reactions with Disinfectants/Air Fresheners
- Weschler, C.J. & Shields, H.C. (1999). Ozone-Terpene Reactions in Indoor Air. Indoor Air 9(4), 237–248. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0668.1999.t01-2-00007.x
- Nazaroff, W.W. & Weschler, C.J. (2004). Cleaning Products and Air Chemistry. Atmos. Environ. 38(18), 2841–2865. DOI:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2003.10.038
- Sarwar, G., et al. (2004). Ozone-Initiated Particle Formation. Indoor Air 14(6), 413–424. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2004.00281.x
5. Health Effects & Regulatory Standards
- IARC (2012). Formaldehyde (Group 1 Carcinogen). Monographs Vol. 100F.
- American Lung Association (2023). VOCs and Lung Health. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air
- WHO (2021). Global Air Quality Guidelines (PM₂.₅/Formaldehyde). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228
6. Workplace Mitigation
- Emory University (2018). Green Cleaning Manual. https://sustainability.emory.edu
- CDC/NIOSH (2023). Preventing VOC Exposure in Janitorial Work. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv
- Odabasi, M. (2012). “Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds from the Use of Chlorine-Bleach-Containing Household Products.” Environmental Science & Technology, 46(19), 10356–10363
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