New multi-sensor for air quality with regulator

What are volatile organic compounds?

One of the main sources of indoor pollution are volatile organic compounds (abbreviated as COVs or VOCs by the English Volatile Organic Compound) which are gases emitted by solid or liquid substances. VOCs include a wide variety of chemicals, some of which can have negative health effects in the short and long term. Some VOCs are present directly in nature, others are emitted by human activities (transport, industrial processes, products containing solvents, fuel evaporation, waste disposal, agriculture, etc.). The concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher inside buildings (up to ten times higher) than outside. VOCs are emitted from a wide range of products with thousands of numbers. Legislative Decree 152 of 2006 (art. 268) defines VOCs as ”any organic compound having, at a temperature of 293.15 K (20 °C), a vapour pressure of 0.01 kPa (kilopascal) or more, or having a corresponding volatility, under particular conditions of use”.

The main sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Household products, including:

• paints, paint strippers and other solvents
• wood preservatives
• aerosol spray
• detergents and disinfectants
• air repellents and deodorants
• fuels and products for automotive use
• hobby equipment
• dry-cleaned clothing
• pesticides

Other products, including:

• construction materials and furniture
• office equipment such as photocopiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless paper
• graphic and craft materials, including glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).