VOC Monitoring
Volatile organic compound exposure assessment — solvents, fuels, and vapours
What Is VOC Monitoring?
VOC monitoring measures worker exposure to volatile organic compounds — a broad class including solvents (benzene, toluene, xylene), fuels, degreasers, and process emissions. Many VOCs are neurotoxic, hepatotoxic, or carcinogenic (benzene is IARC Group 1).
Sampling methods range from charcoal sorbent tubes (desorbed with CS₂) to thermal desorption tubes and direct-reading photoionisation detectors (PIDs). Compound-specific WES values apply; mixed exposures require additive-fraction calculation per Safe Work Australia guidance.
How Is It Done?
Personal sampling via charcoal sorbent tube or thermal desorption tube. Analysis by GC-FID or GC-MS (NIOSH 1500, 1501). Real-time screening via PID.
When You Need This
- +Solvent use in painting, degreasing, or cleaning operations
- +Chemical manufacturing or blending processes
- +Fuel handling and storage facilities
- +Indoor air quality complaints related to chemical odours
- +Mixed-exposure additive-fraction compliance assessment
Relevant Standards
Common Industries
Related Monitoring
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