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Volatile organic compound
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<p>Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are <a href="/facts/Organic_compound/gqCNaN45">organic compounds</a> that have a high <a href="/facts/Vapor_pressure/whrEr96T">vapor pressure</a> at <a href="/facts/Room_temperature/NjHdkY4A">room temperature</a>. They are common and exist in a variety of settings and products, not limited to <a href="/facts/Indoor_mold/UvPtkQcH">house mold</a>, <a href="/facts/Upholstery/nHeTqDfz">upholstered furniture</a>, <a href="/facts/Handicraft/MXjkwQQD">arts and crafts</a> supplies, <a href="/facts/Dry_cleaning/jIJkjnrE">dry cleaned</a> clothing, and <a href="/facts/Cleaning_agent/L3Jp6f1f">cleaning supplies</a>. VOCs are responsible for the odor of scents and <a href="/facts/Perfume/prN8beWz">perfumes</a> as well as <a href="/facts/Pollutant/4f9kmFzq">pollutants</a>. They play an important role in communication between animals and plants, such as attractants for pollinators, protection from predation, and even inter-plant interactions. Some VOCs are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the <a href="/facts/Natural_environment/NzGY148M">environment</a>, often despite the odor being perceived as pleasant, such as "<a href="/facts/New_car_smell/htG46YzQ">new car smell</a>". </p><p><a href="/facts/Human_impact_on_the_environment/vIAWqfPB">Anthropogenic</a> VOCs are regulated by law, especially indoors, where concentrations are the highest. Most VOCs are not acutely <a href="/facts/Toxic/qa96rs60">toxic</a>, but may have long-term chronic health effects. Some VOCs have been used in <a href="/facts/Pharmacy/P2KTFVdW">pharmaceutical settings</a>, while others are the target of <a href="/facts/Drug_policy/az8g6dPS">administrative controls</a> because of their <a href="/facts/Recreational_drug_use/eoBD3vKn">recreational use</a>. The high vapor pressure of VOCs correlates with a low <a href="/facts/Boiling_point/E2BK9QoS">boiling point</a>, which relates to the number of the sample's molecules in the surrounding air, a trait known as <a href="/facts/Volatility_(chemistry)/90r3ep6w">volatility</a>. </p>