Detecting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Back to Gas Guides

VOCs are chemical compounds, they are described as volatile because they evaporate easily, releasing molecules into the atmosphere, your exposure to VOCs can be monitored using gas detection equipment.

ION Science manufactures gas detection equipment for monitoring exposure to toxic levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

VOC Issues In Heavy Industries

The most well known threats to workers from VOCs are their toxic effects.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a fundamental parameter in assessing air quality. The European Environment Agency (EEA) reported in 2018 that air pollution was the cause of almost 50,000 premature deaths in Europe per year. This finding pre-empted the head of the EEA agency stating “Air pollution is an invisible killer and we need to step up our efforts to address the causes,”.
– BBC News

Not only do fugitive emissions from heavy industrial plants result in health & safety and environmental problems, there are also economic implications. It is estimated over £80million worth of VOCs being released into the atmosphere each year.

Projects Systems Technologies, Oil & Gas Facilities

Health and Safety Issues

Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) gases are found in almost every industry. Typically, in heavier industries, especially steel foundries and refineries the concentrations of VOCs are higher. Also the more hazardous VOCs such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are likely to be present. The risks associated with VOCs include:

  • Health and Safetyvoc-issues-factory-image
  • Environmental
  • Economic

The most well known threats to workers from VOCs are their multiple toxic effects. The effects we are most familiar with are the acute risks, such as, eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness and at high concentrations unconsciousness and even death. However, the potentially larger threat comes from low-level long-term exposures we are not aware of.

Levels Of Volatile Organic Compounds

Monitoring for VOCs in heavy industries presents many challenges. The environmental conditions can be extremely harsh, temperatures range from -20 to over 50°C with humidity often in the high 90’s and even 100%.

In typhoon conditions. Coupled with this is the wide range of concentration that need to accurately be measured. Explosion and asphyxiation concentrations are in the order of 10,000 ppm, acute health risks 10s – 100s of ppm, chronic health risks 1 – 0.1 ppm and environmental emissions ppb and lower.

Pellistors are the most common sensor type for detecting gasses and vapours over 5,000 ppm. To detect gasses and vapours below this photo-ionisation detection is the preferred sensing technology.

Volatile Organic Compound Detection

In conclusion, there are significant financial, environmental and health benefits associated with taking a proactive approach to monitoring VOCs in the heavy industrial environment. The resulting gains in operational efficiency and worker wellbeing are vital in creating a sustainable business and achieving operational excellence. The photoionisation detector (PID) has proven to be an ideal solution for personal worker protection but effective in, fugitive emission and fence-line monitoring applications.

Download our FREE Guide

“VOC Issues In Heavy Industries”

The VOC issues in heavy industries guide which can be downloaded below provides the reader with an in-depth balance of knowledge covering three key areas within heavier industries. We cover basics health & safety, environmental & economic conditions while discussing why photoionisation detector (PID) has proven to be an ideal solution for personal worker protection but effective in, fugitive emission and fenceline monitoring applications.

voc-issues-in-heavy-industries

Related Guides

An Introduction to Field Based Contaminated Land Measurements

The following guide will explain the reasons behind the popularity of PID, despite the challenges presented by field work.

View Details

Aromatic Gases – What Are They?

Aromatic gases contain at least one aromatic ring of which benzene is the simplest form. Benzene itself forms the well know group of compounds (BTEX).

View Details

Benzene Detection – Fixed Instruments

Benzene Detection (Fixed Instruments) - ION Science's Fixed Photoionisation Detectors protect workers and the public from benzene exposure

View Details

Commercial AQ Monitor Comparison

Commercial AQ Monitor Comparison, in this guide we out line the main advantages and disadvantages of the AQ VOC sensors under review; MOS, ETO & PID.

View Details

Contaminated Land – Why use ION Science PID?

The following guide explains the Tiger XTs humidity resistant design and how it can become an important tool for your sample screening.

View Details

COVID-19 The Impact On Air Pollution

COVID-19 lockdown events have reduced the population-weighted concentration of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels in many countries.

View Details

Detecting Arson Accelerants For Fire/Arson Investigators

Detecting arson accelerants early is virtual, as it helps investigators save time and determine if the cause of the fire was accidental or deliberate.

View Details

Detecting Volatile Organic Compounds In Laboratories

Detecting Volatile Organic Compounds is crucial while there is a high rise in the use of sanitisers and disinfectants within our healthcare facilities.

View Details

Fenceline Monitoring

Hazardous air pollutants are those known to cause cancer and other serious health impacts. This is why fenceline monitoring is important!

View Details

Fugitive Emissions Monitoring

Gas leak equipment reduces the likelihood of leaks and the best way to reduce fugitive emissions is through regular leak testing and maintenance.

View Details

Gas Detection Equipment – Choosing The Right Type

Gas detection for safety is pivotal, so Ion science cuts no corners when it comes to our gas detectors. Explore our variety of gas detectors today!

View Details

Gas Detection Instrument – Do you Require One In Your Industry?

The Gas detection Instrument guide will help you understand the requirement for each type of instrument and which will be best suited to your industry.

View Details

Gas Detection System – PID Or FID?

Gas Detection System, the main differences and benefits of using photoionisation detection and flame detection when monitoring fugitive emissions.

View Details

Ground Gas Monitoring – Subsurface Guide

Ground gas monitoring - contaminated ground such as from landfill sites, infilled ground and spilled or leaked petroleum hydrocarbons.

View Details

Hazardous VOC Gases Found Within Hospitals

Hazardous VOC Gases Found Within Hospitals can accumulate and if left unattended can result in building related illnesses or Sick Building Syndrome.

View Details

Hazards Of Gas Leaks Found Within Laboratories

Identifying the hazards of gas leaks early improves the facility itself, it’s processes and the safety of the people who work within this environment.

View Details

HAZMAT Emergency Response

The HAZMAT emergency response guide explains the great benefits of PID instruments in a response situation because they provide an immediate response.

View Details

Hazmat Spill Response

A HAZMAT spill response team need to identify the unknown dangers quickly at any scene, hence why the power of PID in the event of a cleanup is critical.

View Details

Humid Environment – A Guide to Detecting VOCs

A Humid environment requires a vital component to monitor VOCs, so in this guides we provide information on the best PIDs to tackle humid applications.

View Details

Humidity Effects On PID Instruments

Humidity Effects On PID Instruments can have a major effect on older models, but due to recent technology a solution has been identified and adapted.

View Details

Humidity Interference In VOC Measurements

Humidity Interference in VOC measurements used to be a limitation to the use of PIDs in the past, until now. New designs provide almost no humidity effects.

View Details

Indoor Air Volatiles Monitored By PID

In most indoor environments, air contains common indoor air volatiles which are readily detectable by PID at a total VOC concentration of a few 10's ppb.

View Details

Leak Detection In Biotechnology Laboratories

leak detection within analytical laboratory equipment promotes good laboratory practice and preventative maintenance offers a number of benefits.

View Details

Measurement Instrumentation For Fire/Arson Investigators

Measurement Instrumentation, the benefits and comparison of trained sniffer dogs and photoionisation detectors for the use within fire/arson investigations.

View Details

Monitoring Aromatic Gases

Monitoring aromatic gases early is crucial to limit the effects on worker’s health. This all depends upon how much they are exposed to and for how long.

View Details

Monitoring Indoor Air For VOCs

Given the range of VOC’s in air and their variable harmfulness, it might seem preferable to monitor the more ubiquitous and harmful of them individually.

View Details

Monitoring Toxic Gases Within A Laboratory Environment

Monitoring toxic gases within a laboratory environment is crucial, expecially when dealing with IVF as exposing them to VOCs can impact their development.

View Details

Occupational Exposure To Toxic Chemicals

Understanding an Occupational Exposure to toxic chemicals on a daily basics when working within the Oil & Gas industry.

View Details

Reducing VOCs Within IVF Laboratories

Reducing VOCs within IVF laboratories is crucial to keep standards of quality and safety within the laboratory to the highest possible level.

View Details

Risks Associated With Unproven Technology

The following guide provides the reader with knowledge on what to look out for when purchasing a fixed gas detection instrument. Covering key aspects such as performance specification, sensitivity and measurement range, temperature, contamination and humidity tolerance, flexibility and certification.

View Details

Semiconductor Guide – Role of VOCs in fabrication, worker safety and community exposure

Our semiconductor guide provides extensive knowledge about VOCs in fabrication, worker safety and community exposure.

View Details

Site Investigation and Remediation

When taking out soil investigation, the presence of VOCs which effect soil biota should be considered harmful in respect of their many wider benefits.

View Details

Site Investigation and Remediation

When taking out soil investigation, the presence of VOCs which effect soil biota should be considered harmful in respect of their many wider benefits.

View Details

Soil Remediation With Photoionisation Detection

Soil remediation, which is the reduction of contaminant concentrations within the soil and to reduce contaminants so that they are suitable for use,

View Details

Soil Screening For VOCs By Headspace Measurements

Soil sampling & analysis of VOCs requires careful sample retrieval handling. Most VOCs, it is often possible and advantageous to analyse a sample headspace.

View Details

Soil Screening For VOCs By Headspace Measurements

Soil sampling & analysis of VOCs requires careful sample retrieval handling. Most VOCs, it is often possible and advantageous to analyse a sample headspace.

View Details

Subsurface Monitoring – A Guide to Soil/Ground Gas Risk

Subsurface Monitoring is critical and should be considered before any development on top of any soil, As if left uncontrolled can lead to serious effects.

View Details

Transportation Of Hazardous Materials Dangers

Transportation of hazardous materials can be transported in many different ways over very long and equally short distances, this carries many risk factors.

View Details

Urban Air Quality

It's estimated that poor urban air quality accounts for 7million deaths per year. Unless poor air quality can be improved, death rates will continue to rise.

View Details

VOCs In Soil Remediation – A Buyers Guide To Measuring

VOCs in soil remediation can be easily identified with the use of PIDs. They are simple to use and provide quick, accurate results.

View Details

Gas Detection Equipment for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds