Volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) refer to organic chemical compounds which have significant vapor pressures and can affect the environment and human health. VOCs are released from man-made sources such as gasoline (petrol), paints, solvents, pesticides, and biogenic sources, such as pine and citrus tree emissions.

VOCs can react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) released from sources such as coal plants to form smog - photochemical smog is the chemical reaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs in the atmosphere, which leaves airborne particles (called particulate matter) and ground-level ozone (smog).

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