What are VOCs in paint?

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. These are carbon-based substances that can evaporate into the air at ordinary temperatures. In paint, VOCs may originate from solvents and other ingredients used in the formulation. They can contribute to paint odour and affect indoor air quality during application and drying. Low-VOC paint contains reduced levels of these compounds, although VOC content alone does not describe every aspect of a paint's emissions or environmental performance.