PCE occupational health and safety meter for formaldehyde PCE-VOC 1

The VOC tester PCE-VOC 1 is used for the approximate measurement of VOC (TVOC; volatile organic compounds) and HCHO (formaldehyde). The VOC tester PCE-VOC 1 is particularly suitable for checking indoor air quality. The TVOC provides information about the indoor air quality. This VOC tester is characterized by its large display and easy operation. Only three buttons on the VOC measuring device allow you to work quickly with the PCE-VOC 1. In addition to displaying the measured values, the user can see the alarm visually on the display. The display turns red when a critical VOC or HCHO reading has been reached. The air quality reading can be displayed by the VOC tester in mg/m³ or in PPM. The VOC test device PCE-VOC 1 has a lithium-polymer battery that ensures operation for several hours. The built-in battery is charged via the power pack, which can be connected to the VOC tester. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

What are VOCs? The English abbreviation VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) refers to the group of volatile organic compounds. VOC describes gaseous and vaporous substances of organic origin in the air. These include, for example, hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and organic acids. Many solvents, liquid fuels and synthetically manufactured substances can occur as VOCs, but also numerous organic compounds formed in biological processes. Many hundreds of different individual compounds can occur together in the air. What are sources of VOCs? VOCs arise from very different sources. Biological processes can be sources of outside air, for example plant metabolism, putrefaction and degradation processes. Other outdoor air sources are technical processes in which substances are produced from incomplete combustion (particularly vehicle exhaust fumes) or as volatile by-products from industrial and commercial processes. Possible indoor sources are products and materials for building construction and interior decoration (e.g. floor, wall and ceiling materials, paints, varnishes, adhesives, furniture and decorative materials). Care, cleaning and hobby products are also important, as well as tobacco smoking, even food preparation and human metabolism. Compared to outdoor air sources, indoor sources in Central Europe are generally of significantly greater importance to health, since people are mainly in buildings. In addition, the distance to the VOC sources indoors is usually smaller. VOCs from the outside air can also get into the interior. As a rule, however, the original indoor concentrations are reduced during ventilation.

How do VOCs get into the air? When solvents or liquid fuels evaporate and liquid or pasty products dry, large quantities of VOCs escape into the ambient air. The spread of various accompanying substances that are not firmly integrated into products is less obvious. They can be released slowly from the product surface into the air and continuously replenished from the inside of the product to the surface (material emission). This applies, for example, to residual solvents and building blocks in plastics (monomers), auxiliaries such as plasticizers, solubilizers, antioxidants, stabilizers and catalysts from the production process, as well as accompanying substances such as fragrances, flame retardants and biocidal active ingredients. Terpenes are also typical VOCs. They are released into the air from materials and products of natural origin, such as wood. VOCs are also formed as reaction products, for example between oxygen, ozone or water with ingredients of natural origin, such as those found in wood and vegetable oils. What health effects can VOCs have? The individual VOC concentrations are usually very low and there is no risk of damage to health. Concentrations that cause health impairments can occur immediately after construction and extensive renovation work, as well as in the event of improper processing and the massive use of unsuitable products. Odor nuisance, irritation and symptoms that cannot be directly assigned to a disease have been described as acute effects on humans. These effects must be avoided, as must possible chronic effects that scientists have derived from toxicological assessments; particularly naturally carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic effects. If such effects of substances are known, they may no longer be used in the end product (Chemicals Prohibition Ordinance). However, it cannot be completely ruled out that traces of VOC with such a potential effect are contained in the product if they were present in uncontrolled pre-products or recycled materials.

How can VOCs be reduced? Consumers should choose low-emission products and materials. They can use environmental labels such as the Blue Angel as a guide. In the case of more extensive construction or renovation measures, you can see whether the materials have been tested according to the AgBB evaluation scheme. Both materials with a recognized eco-label and those that have been successfully tested according to the AgBB scheme guarantee that the possible VOC emissions are reduced to a low level. If health problems occur in the home and a connection with VOCs is suspected, finding the source is usually difficult. Indoor air measurements and emission measurements on different materials are very time-consuming and often do not bring the desired clarity. Residents should therefore seek professional advice. You can find experts through municipal health and environmental authorities, the chambers of industry and commerce or on the Internet. Experts can often determine the probable source of VOCs by simply inspecting the home and interviewing residents. Once the sources of the VOC pollution have been clearly determined, a decision must be made individually about their elimination - depending on the type and extent of the possible health impairment, the level and expected reduction in the VOC concentration and the costs. Again, professional advice should be included as to whether and how to remove, contain or treat the VOC sources. In principle, it is always helpful to reduce a VOC concentration indoors by ventilation.