Solving IAQ Problems Related to VOCs

Building Investigation Support

Field investigations, properly designed and executed, provide a means of assessing potential risks associated with exposures to VOCs and SVOCs within an indoor environment. Since 1989, Berkeley Analytical (BkA) has provided industrial hygienists, engineering companies, environmental health and safety departments of schools, hospitals, and other organizations with high quality analytical services tailored to the customers’ objectives. BkA’s analytical support services for building investigations include:

  • Thermal desorption GC/MS analysis of VOCs collected on sorbent tubes (BkA supplies cleaned tubes for your use)
  • Analysis of sampling cartridges and passive samplers for formaldehyde and other low molecular weight carbonyl compounds
  • Analysis of air samples collected on low-volume PUF cartridges for phthalate esters and PAH
  • Analysis of dust samples and surface wipe samples for phthalate esters, PAH, and PDBEs
  • VOC emission chamber studies of field collected products and materials
  • LEED® Commissioning Support

For LEED® projects, pre-occupancy IAQ studies often are conducted to fulfill the requirements of IE Q Credit 3.2: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan. Air samples are collected throughout a building for the analysis of formaldehyde, total VOCs, and 4-phenylcyclohexene, a chemical associated with new carpet odor. BkA supplies the necessary air sampling media for such studies and provides rapid turn around of the analytical results to help you meet tight building and move-in schedules.

View our VOC sampling guides and contact us to discuss your building study objectives and request a quotation. In many cases, we can offer advice on cost-effective and productive sampling and analytical strategies.

Indoor Exposure to VOCs – Overview

As a society, we spend on average about 90% of our time in buildings. Not surprisingly, complaints about poor indoor air quality (IAQ), such as the presence of annoying odors, are common. Besides being unpleasant, such odors can adversely affect productivity. In many cases, odors are due to a VOC source that is discoverable through collection and analysis of air samples.

Building occupants may also experience more serious symptoms such as acute respiratory problems or CNS effects due to exposure to VOCs from indoor sources. Detection of unusual compounds or measurement of elevated concentrations of specific compounds may suggest the need for immediate action or further investigation.

Additionally, as building occupants we are almost always exposed to numerous VOC air contaminants at concentrations in excess of outdoor levels. We are mostly unaware of these exposures because concentrations are well below odor detection thresholds or levels that elicit acute effects. Nevertheless, these imperceptible exposures may present chronic health risks for cancer, reproductive effects, and other serious health endpoints.

Exposure to semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) can occur by multiple pathways. In the indoor environment, SVOCs partition between gas and condensed liquid phases, depending on the temperature. These compounds adsorb onto surfaces in buildings and directly onto our clothing and skin. They also readily accumulate on dust particles. This ability to partition to particulate matter and surfaces leads to dermal exposures and ingestion exposures by hand-to-mouth transfer. Exposure to some SVOCs may result in serious health effects, particularly in the very young.