"...If it's Zero VOC or VOC compliant it must be Green. A great deal of emphasis has been placed on the term VOC (volatile organic compound) to the extent that many have begun to believe that all VOC's are "bad" and should be eliminated. This is an overstatement. The government is interested in regulating VOC's because some, not all, react with chlorine in the atmosphere to form smog creating compounds. That is, they are interested in reducing outdoor air pollution. Not only has this narrow focus tarred all with the same brush, but it shows no concern with the toxic effects of various chemicals to humans.
Example #1) The US government has exempted acetone and ammonia--two very toxic chemicals--from regulations as VOC's (even though European governments recognize them as VOC's) because they do not contribute to smog formation. These toxic ingredients have found their way into zero VOC formulations of major manufacturers--safe from government regulation--without concern for their effect on users.
Example #2) Consider the difference between ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The former is essentially anti-freeze and is used in the paint industry to provide freeze-thaw resistance and a "wet edge." It is a VOC and is extremely toxic. Propylene Glycol, on the other hand, is also a VOC and can be used for the same purposes, but has no indicia of toxicity. No skin sensitization hazard, no inhalation hazard, no toxicity hazard. Paints made with ethylene glycol and those made with propylene glycol both have VOC's yet one is poison and one is benign. Therefore, the term VOC is largely meaningless with regard to product safety."
This was an excerpt from GreenBuildingSupply.com and the full article can be found here.
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