Nessim defined VOCs correctly. Examples include turpentine, lacquer thinner, xylene, toluene, methanol, ethanol, gasoline, brake cleaner, carb cleaner and so on. "Volatile" means that it evaporates easily. The EPA has rules to try to reduce the amount of VOCs in the atmosphere because they cause health problems.
"Organic" means that it contains the chemical element carbon.
Without getting into a lot of chemistry, most coatings that survive being immersed in water are organic and organic coatings dissolve better in organic solvents. To get rid of the solvent, it must evaporate.
In the last few decades, chemists have learned a lot about reducing the VOC content of paints, using some fairly complex chemistry.
"Organic" means that it contains the chemical element carbon.
Without getting into a lot of chemistry, most coatings that survive being immersed in water are organic and organic coatings dissolve better in organic solvents. To get rid of the solvent, it must evaporate.
In the last few decades, chemists have learned a lot about reducing the VOC content of paints, using some fairly complex chemistry.
See if you can track down my medium gray 
:-\"
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