Volatile Organic Chemicals are described as

• A. They are inorganic minerals
• B. They contain carbon and are volatile
• C. They do not dissolve in water
• D. They are always synthetic

Answer: (B)

Volatile Organic Chemicals are defined by being carbon-containing compounds that readily vaporize at room temperature. The “carbon-containing” part marks them as organic, and the “volatile” part means they have high vapor pressure and will quickly become gases, which is why they can affect indoor and outdoor air quality. This combination distinguishes VOCs from inorganic minerals, which aren’t organic, and from statements about solubility or being always synthetic, which aren’t defining features. Some VOCs are natural and some are synthetic, so the “always synthetic” option isn’t correct.