An organic compound contains carbon chemically bound to hydrogen Organic compounds often contain other elements (particularly O, N, halogens, or S)
A compound that contains carbon This type of compound can come from living and non-living sources back
A hydrogen-containing carbon compound, which may also contain oxygen nitrogen, sulfur, and/or other elements
Substance whose molecules contain one or more (often many more) carbon atoms (excluding carbonates, cyanides, carbides, and a few others; see inorganic compound). Until 1828 (see urea), scientists believed that organic compounds could be formed only by life processes (hence the name). Since carbon has a far greater tendency to form molecular chains and rings than do other elements, its compounds are vastly more numerous (many millions have been described) than all others known. Living organisms consist mostly of water and organic compounds: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids, hormones, vitamins, and a host of others. Natural and synthetic fibres and most fuels, drugs, and plastics are organic. Hydrocarbons contain only carbon and hydrogen; organic compounds with other functional groups include carboxylic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, ethers, esters, and other, more complex, molecules, including heterocyclic compounds, isoprenoids, and amino acids
Any compound containing carbon is referred to as an organic compound This is not to be confused with organic in the sense of "organic foods" or "organic gardening " Many organic compounds such as benzene are highly toxic
Any compound containing carbon except for the carbonates (carbon dioxide, the carbonates and bicarbonates), the cyanides, and cyanates
A group of organic compounds characterized by their tendency to evaporate easily at room temperature Some familiar substances containing VOCs are solvents, gasoline, paint thinners, and nail polish remover DCE, PCE, TCA, and TCE are all VOCs
The environmental or legislated definition: Constituents that will evaporate at their temperature of use and which, by a photochemical reaction, will cause atmospheric oxygen to be converted into potential smog-promoting tropospheric ozone under favorable climatic conditions Some areas classify a substance to be a VOC based on its vapor pressure Scientific definition: Any hydrocarbon, except methane and ethane, with a vapor pressure equal to or greater than 0 1 mm Hg
any organic compound that evaporates readily to the atmosphere For example, benzene is a VOC found in gasoline that can be emitted into the atmosphere when gasoline evaporates VOCs are also used in paints, plastics, solvents, and other products
Chemical substances containing hydrocarbons (hydrogen and carbon atoms) which evaporate into the atmosphere EPA has limited the definition to those organic compounds which participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions to produce ozone and ozone precursors
VOCs are small, organic compounds, often containing chlorine, that are known to cause certain forms of cancer, including leukemia They can be present in water, even following chlorine disinfection VOCs are most prevalent in agricultural and industrial areas from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, leaking gasoline storage tanks, seepage from toxic waste dumps and accidental chemical spills One type of VOC is the trihalomethanes (THMs), which are formed when chlorine is combined with naturally occurring organic material (such as decaying leaves) in water
In chemistry, organic means something containing Volatile means 'easily evaporated' - like water boiling away in a kettle It can also mean explosive And a compound is something that is made up of two or more other elements If you put it all together, then a volatile organic compound is a carbon substance that is made up of two or more elements, is easily evaporated, and may be explosive (Back to Ozone Action! Days)
VOCs are organic (carbon-containing) compounds that evaporate readily at room temperature These compounds are used as solvents, degreasers, paints, thinners and fuels Due to their low water solubilities, environmental persistence and widespread industrial use, they are commonly found in soil and ground water W Go back to alphabet
Constituents that will evaporate at their temperature of use and which, by a photochemical reaction, will cause atmospheric oxygen to be converted into potential smog-promoting tropospheric ozone under favourable climatic conditions
Constituents that evaporate at their temperature of use and which, by a photochemical reaction, will potentially produce smog under favorable climatic conditions
An organic chemical that has a high vapor pressure relative to its water solubility VOCs include components of gasoline, fuel oils, and lubricants, as well as organic solvents, fumigants, some inert ingredients in pesticides, and some by-products of chlorine disinfection
one of a class of chemical compounds; indoor sources include tobacco smoke, building products, furnishings, cleaning materials, solvents, and office supplies In sufficient quantities, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritations; dizziness; and headaches Some VOCs are suspected carcinogens Data for health effects resulting, from exposure to the characteristically low levels of VOCs in the indoor environment are scarce
1) Carbon-containing substances released by both natural processes and human activities that readily evaporate; their reaction with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight produces photochemical smog 2) Compounds amenable to analysis by the purge and trap techniques Used synonymously with purgable compounds 3) Any organic compound that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions except those designated by EPA as having negligible photochemical reactivity
This term is generally used similarly to the term "reactive organic gases" but excludes ethane which the federal government does not consider to be reactive VOCs are hydrocarbon compounds that exist in the ambient air and contribute to the formation of smog and/or may themselves be toxic VOCs often have an odor, and some examples include gasoline, alcohol, and the solvents used in paints
A hydrocarbon which is in part responsible for photochemical smog, excluding acetone, ethane, freons, methane, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, and generally having a vapor pressure exceeding 0 02 pounds per square inch (psi)
An organic chemical compound that has the ability to evaporate readily at normal temperatures Includes various industrial solvents and degreasers such as TCE, PCE, and carbon tetrachloride