Voc

Acronym for "volatile organic compounds". VOC refers to volatile organic compounds, and is a collective term for volatile organic substances that are already present as a gas at low temperatures (e.g. at room temperature). The sum of all VOCs is called TVOC (total VOC). According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), VOCs are defined as organic substances with a boiling range of 60 to 250°C. VOCs include, for example, alkanes (paraffins), unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbons, terpenes, halogenated hydrocarbons, aldehydes, esters and ketones.

According to the WHO, VOCs are classified according to their boiling point or the resulting volatility:

1. Very Volatile Organic Compound (VVOC) < 0 to 50 - 100 °C
2. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) 50...100 to 240 - 260 °C
3. Semi Volatile Organic Compound (SVOC) 240 - 260 to 380 - 400 °C
4. Organic compound associated with particulate matter or particulate organic matter (POM) 380 °C

The VOC limits are set by an EU directive for individual substances. In addition to VOCs in the atmosphere, volatile organic compounds are also found in indoor air. The reasons for these VOCs include plastics, building materials, furniture and carpets, cleaning agents and the consumption of tobacco products.

VOCs have an important impact on air quality, especially indoors. VOCs can lead to the clinical picture of "sick building syndrome" in people who are predisposed. This is associated with unspecific and elusive symptoms such as fatigue and/or headaches.

MVOCs (microbial volatile organic compounds) are an independent group of VOCs.

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3. Sahlberg B et al (2012) Airborne molds and bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), plasticizers and formaldehyde in dwellings in three North European cities in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS). Sci Total Environ 444:433-440.
4. Zhang X et al (2014) A longitudinal study of sick building syndrome (SBS) among pupils in relation to SO2, NO2, O3 and PM10 in schools in China. PLoS One 9:e112933.