What are "VOC's" and why are they harmful?

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound. These are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature, and in printing they are found in some traditional solvent-based inks, coatings, and cleaning solutions. They matter because of what they release into the air as they dry and cure.

• What they are: compounds that vaporize quickly and enter the surrounding air
• Environmental impact: they react with sunlight and other pollutants to form ground-level ozone and smog
• Health impact: higher exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and contribute to poorer indoor air quality
• The greener alternative: soy and vegetable-based inks and low-VOC coatings release far fewer of these compounds

Choosing lower-VOC inks and finishes is one of the simplest ways to make a print run more environmentally responsible without changing the look of the finished piece.