It happens to the best of us. We order one item as a birthday or wedding gift for an aunt...

A paint job that leaves you lightheaded, or new upholstery that has a funny scent-these are VOCs at work. These insidious chemicals are emitted, at room temperature, from many common household materials, paints, finishes, furnishings, and textiles. Examples of VOCs include benzene, formaldehyde, and methylene chloride. Some occur naturally in the materials; others are added during the manufacturing process. The offgassing of VOCs can have both short- and long-term adverse health effects, ranging from nausea and eye irritation to nervous system damage and cancer. These days, it's getting easier and easier to find no-VOC and low-VOC products such as paints, adhesives, and fabrics.

Concentrations of VOCs in the air are considerably higher indoors than out, and VOCs in poorly ventilated buildings are a major cause of sick building syndrome (SBS). Look for products that are free of these chemicals whenever possible; otherwise, when using paints, varnishes, cleaning solvents, or any other products that contain them, take care to ventilate the work area well and dispose of the leftovers and waste properly afterward.

Wrapping a water heater in insulation can save 4-9 percent in water heating costs. If the tank...