VOC’s – why measure them?

Aeroqual recently updated their information pages on VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and added some great information about what VOCs are, why they should be measured, and where they come from.

What are VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a wide range of carbon based (organic) chemicals (compounds) found in various man-made and naturally occurring solids and liquids. They evaporate easily at ordinary room temperature which is why they are termed volatile.

Why measure VOCs?
Some VOCs are harmful to human health and can cause environmental damage. Exposure to high concentrations of VOCs can lead to throat irritation, headaches and damage to internal organs. Continuous low level exposure often causes long-term health effects. The severity of the health effect depends largely on the type of organic compound present as well as the exposure time.

Where do VOCs come from?
Typical indoor VOC sources include paint, cleaning supplies, furnishings, glues, permanent markers and printing equipment. Levels can be particularly high when there is limited ventilation.
Typical outdoor sources include emissions from the oil and gas industry, solvent usage and transportation. Although biological VOC emissions tend to be larger overall, man made sources are a greater concern in urban areas.

You can view Aeroquals information on VOC monitoring on their website here: http://www.aeroqual.com/sensors/voc-sensors-monitors

Want to read some case studies done on VOCs detection and monitoring?  You can view them on Aeroqual’s website: http://www.aeroqual.com/case-studies/unitec-institute-technology

Need a monitor for VOCs?  GasSensing offers all of Aeroquals VOC gas detectors, along with a variety of other VOC gas detection units.

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