PAN, ozone, and many of the other compounds formed in the series of reactions just described are strong oxidants and are responsible for some of the initial and most aggravating features of smog, including nose, eye, and throat irritation.

The primary system for controlling VOC emissions from automotive vehicles is the catalytic converter.

A number of different technologies have been developed for removing VOCs from flue gases of stationary sources. They include thermal and catalytic incineration, adsorption, absorption, and biofiltration.

Incineration systems are based on the principle that all volatile organic compounds are combustible and can, in principle, be eliminated simply by being burned.

Combustion can be achieved without catalysts (thermal systems) or with catalysts (catalytic systems). In either case, flue gases are passed into a chamber where they are heated in an excess of air, resulting in the oxidation of VOCs.

Thermal systems operate at temperatures of 750°C–1,000°C, while catalytic systems operate at temperatures of about 350°C–500°C.

Adsorption systems make use of the fact that VOCs are attracted to and will adsorb to (attach to the surface of) certain special materials, the most common of which is activated charcoal.

Flue gases containing VOCs are passed through a chamber and over a bed of the adsorbent, where they collect on its surface. The system may be designed such that the VOCs can then be removed from the adsorbent, which can then be reused or the adsorbent with VOCs attached is simply discarded.