Volatile Organic Compounds Analysis

Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are a group of organic chemical compounds that ‘off-gas’ readily from solid, liquid, and gaseous materials at room and slightly elevated temperatures. VOCs analysis is routinely performed on raw materials and finished products to check for residues, contaminants, and additives, perform odor and emission studies, and maintain regulatory compliance. Due to the significant environmental impact and human health concerns of volatile compounds, VOCs analysis is often regulated with stringent national and international standards for commercial, residential, and industrial products, including paints, coatings, elastomers, solvents, cleaners, dyes, pesticides, etc. VOCs analysis is a crucial part of plastics or polymer material testing to detect non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), test phthalate levels, and fix odor issues.

EPA and other regulatory standard testing procedures are followed for compliance studies as specified for the particular industry. Environmental and microchambers are used for collecting emissions at varied temperature conditions. Separation and identification of VOCs are carried out using analytical techniques like headspace GC-MS, HPLC, or other suitable chemical analysis.