---
title: The Benefits of Low VOC Flooring
description: VOC is a group of volatile substances that are responsible for poor indoor air quality. Following our tips to lower VOCs in your indoor environment.
image: https://europeblog.milliken.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Benefits%20of%20low%20VOC%20flooring/417A9937-HDR%20copy.jpg
---

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# The Benefits of Low VOC Flooring

Posted on Nov 19, 2025,  by [Kate Collier](https://europeblog.milliken.com/author/kate-collier)

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# Research shows that physical and social environments in which we work and live have a major influence on our health and well-being. As we spend up to 90% of our time indoors[\[i\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref1), this means the built environment has a crucial role to play.

# ![Office space with Milliken Coastline carpet](https://europeblog.milliken.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Benefits%20of%20low%20VOC%20flooring/417A9937-HDR%20copy.jpg?width=722&height=456&name=417A9937-HDR%20copy.jpg)

# Why Is Indoor Air Quality So Important?

Typically, we take around 20,000 breaths a day, inhaling about 10,000 litres of air. While our bodies are highly adaptive, poor air quality can have significant adverse impact on our health. Polluted air is the number one environmental cause of prematuredeath globally[\[ii\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref2). The WELL standard recognizes the importance of strategies that reduce outdoor pollutants entering our buildings, as we breathe in up to 65% of outdoor contaminants whilst indoors[\[iii\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref3). These strategies include effective filtration, ventilation and entrance systems. Additionally, it focuses on minimizing sources of interior pollution, as some pollution indicators can be 2-5 times more polluted indoors than outdoors[\[iv\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref4). This includes eliminating sources of combustion (tobacco products, wood burning stoves and even those lovely, scented candles contribute to particulate matter) and addressing the presence of harmful chemicals in interior materials and their Volatile emissions.

## What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) encompass a wide group of volatile substances that readily vaporize at room temperature and can be of both natural and artificial origins. Some VOCs are naturally emitted by plants or wood (biogenic emissions), such as isoprene, dilimonene and pinenes (think of the aroma of Christmas pine trees). Others originate from artificial sources in manufactured goods containing solvents in adhesives, paints and coatings. Common examples of VOCs include methane, formaldehyde, ethanol, benzene, toluene, isopropanol, isoprene, acetone, chloroform and styrene.

## What are SVOCs?

You may also have heard of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs). These are very similar to VOCs however they are less volatile meaning they evaporate off materials, a process called off-gassing, at a much slower rate than VOCs do.

# ![Office space with Milliken's Poise (Left) Northward Bound: Snow (middle)](https://europeblog.milliken.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/What%20to%20consider%20when%20improving%20indoor%20air%20quality/9%20Gilbanks%203Z7A7787%20copy.jpg?width=722&height=456&name=9%20Gilbanks%203Z7A7787%20copy.jpg)

## Impact of VOCs on Health & Well-being

Both VOCs and SVOCs may significantly affect respiratory health and even increase cancer risks. Inhalation of VOCs emitted inside buildings can produce a wide range of effects, from olfactory annoyance to acute health and comfort issues, such as headaches, nose and throat irritation, dry or itchy skin, nausea and fatigue. More extreme health effects include liver, kidney and central nervous system damage[\[v\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref5)<https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref5>. Furthermore, some select VOCs are known or suspected carcinogens, for example Formaldehyde and Benzene[\[v\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref5).

## What are Sources of VOCs?

While VOC compounds are present outside, buildings are a net source due to human activities, and emissions from materials.

VOCs are abundant in indoor environments due to various source materials. These include wet applied materials such as insulation, paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives; composite wood products which may contain high amounts of adhesive and resins; furniture and furnishings, and flooring materials[\[vi\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref6). Emissions from materials will typically be highest while the material is new. So it is worth considering increased ventilation, when new products are installed/ applied.Activity within the interior adds further sources of VOC. Cleaning products, personal care products and air fresheners are also VOC emission sources[\[v\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref5).

![Office space with Milliken Clerkenwell carpet](https://europeblog.milliken.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Benefits%20of%20low%20VOC%20flooring/pgno-silicon-labs-hr-A7400270%20copy.jpg?width=722&height=456&name=pgno-silicon-labs-hr-A7400270%20copy.jpg)

## Solutions: Selecting Low VOC products

Research has shown that installation of low-VOC materials is associated with lower indoor VOC concentrations compared to traditional building materials and products. Careful material selection in newly built or refurbished spaces has been shown to accelerate VOCs reduction (i.e. off-gassing) to background levels[\[vii\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref7).

Creating healthier indoor environments starts with the materials we choose. Reducing exposure to harmful VOCs through careful product selection can enhance indoor air quality and avoid potential negative health impacts associated with VOCs. There are now many low VOC carpet & LVT options to choose from. Explore our range of low VOC flooring and move towards a healthier built environment.

 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VOC AND WELL-BEING:

[What are VOC Certifications? Understanding What They Mean](https://europeblog.milliken.com/what-are-voc-certifications-understanding-what-they-mean)

[What to Consider When Improving Your Indoor Air Quality](https://europeblog.milliken.com/what-to-consider-when-improving-your-indoor-air-quality)

 

FAQs

What are VOCs?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are substances that are readily vaporised at room temperature.

What are SVOCs?

Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) are substance that evaporate and off-gas slower than VOCs.

Where do VOCs come from?

Both VOCs and SVOCs can have natural or artificial origins. They are found in / emitted from interior materials and finishes, cleaning products, personal care products and food items.

What is off-gassing?

Off-gassing is the process in which VOCs and SVOCs evaporate from materials/products. A material/product is considered off-gassed when all the VOCs/SVOCs have evaporated.

How do VOCs impact human health?

VOCs can significantly affect respiratory health, and some VOCs are known carcinogens(formaldehyde/Benzene).

Benefits of low VOC flooring?

Selecting low VOC flooring helps to maintain good Indoor Air Quality which is associated with various health benefits.

 

[\[i\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref1)Klepeis NE, Nelson WC, Ott WR, et al. The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS): A resource for assessing exposure to environmental pollutants. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol. 2001;11(3):231-252.<https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#ref1>[https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500165](https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500165)<https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500165>

[\[ii\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref2) Fuller, R., Landrigan, P. J., Balakrishnan, K., Bathan, G., Bose-O'Reilly, S., Brauer, M., ... & Yan, C. (2022). Pollution and health: a progress update. *The Lancet Planetary Health*, *6*(6), e535-e547.[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00090-0](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00090-0)

[\[iii\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref3)Fisk, W. J. (2015). Review of some effects of climate change on indoor environmental quality and health and associated no-regrets mitigation measures. *Building and environment*, *86*, 70-80. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.12.024](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.12.024)

[\[iv\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref4)Caiazzo, F., Ashok, A., Waitz, I. A., Yim, S. H., & Barrett, S. R. (2013). Air pollution and early deaths in the United States. Part I: Quantifying the impact of major sectors in 2005. *Atmospheric Environment*, *79*, 198-208. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.05.081](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2013.05.081)

[\[v\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref5) EPA, U. (2017). Volatile organic compounds’ impact on indoor air quality.[https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality).

<https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref6>[\[vi\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref6)<https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref6>Chan, C. S., Lee, S. C., Chan, W., Ho, K. F., Tian, L., Lai, S. C., ... & Huang, Y. (2011). Characterisation of volatile organic compounds at hotels in Southern China. *Indoor and Built Environment*, *20*(4), 420-429. [https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X11409458](https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X11409458)

[\[vii\]](https://europeblog.milliken.com/the-benefits-of-low-voc-flooring#intextref7) Suzuki, N., Nakaoka, H., Nakayama, Y., Takaya, K., Tsumura, K., Hanazato, M., ... & Mori, C. (2020). Changes in the concentration of volatile organic compounds and aldehydes in newly constructed houses over time. *International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology*, *17*(1), 333-342.[https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-019-02503-3](https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-019-02503-3)

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