What are VOCS?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a broad category of chemical compounds that can be present in indoor air. They originate from various sources, including building materials, cleaning products, and personal care items like hairsprays, perfumes, shampoos, and lotions. Many fragrances, including those from air fresheners and perfumes, consist of VOCs. Even "greener" products can still release VOCs through off-gassing. It's important to note that certain VOCs, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and methylene chloride, are recognized as cancer-causing substances.
How is VOC testing conducted?
We offer various methods for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with our preferred approach involving a low-flow pump and a sorbent tube. This setup is operated for 2-4 hours and then sent to a specialized chemical laboratory for analysis. Within 3-4 days of the appointment, we provide results and issue a comprehensive report that identifies the types and levels of VOCs present in the property.
Handheld meters, commonly known as PIDs, are useful for obtaining immediate readings of total VOC (tVOC) levels. However, they cannot differentiate between specific types of VOCs or provide individual level measurements.
Chemicals like formaldehyde, which are not typically included in the standard VOC categories covered by our test, can still be sampled simultaneously. A specific tube designed for formaldehyde is used in a 20-minute test. In most cases, our clients opt for both tests to ensure a thorough analysis of the indoor environment.
