Volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis

Volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis quantifies substances that readily vaporize at room temperature and are frequently found in materials, chemicals, and indoor environments. VOCs encompass a wide range of compounds, including hydrocarbons, solvents, aldehydes, alcohols, terpenes, and residual monomers. Monitoring VOCs is essential for assessing air quality, ensuring material safety, and guaranteeing regulatory compliance (REACH, BREEAM, indoor emission labels).

Analysis is generally performed by thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), or by headspace GC-MS. GC-FID is also used for the quantification of volatile compounds in certain matrices. These methods allow for precise detection, even at trace levels, and are applicable to numerous matrices: polymers, packaging, cosmetics, solvents, paints, and textiles.

What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based substances that evaporate readily at ambient temperature and pressure. This volatility explains their presence in indoor and outdoor air, where they originate from a variety of sources: building materials, furniture, paints and varnishes, cleaning products, cosmetics, packaging, and industrial processes. Some VOCs, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene, are closely monitored due to their potential impact on health and the environment.

VOCs are generally classified according to their volatility (highly volatile, volatile, and semi-volatile compounds) and their origin (emissions from materials, residual solvents, degradation byproducts). Their measurement addresses two key issues: health, to protect occupants and consumers, and regulatory, to demonstrate the conformity of products and materials.

Why measure VOCs?

VOC measurement serves several purposes depending on the sector of activity:

• Indoor air quality : measuring VOC emissions from building materials, furniture and decorative products, within the framework of emission standards (such as ISO 16000) and environmental labels.
• Safety and compliance of materials : verify that packaging, polymers and textiles do not release volatile substances of concern, particularly within the framework of the REACH regulation.
• Emission and migration tests : assess the transfer of VOCs from packaging to its contents, particularly for food contact materials.
• Residual solvent control : measuring residual solvents in finished products, flavors, inks or active ingredients.
• Environmental monitoring : detecting and quantifying VOCs in air, effluents and soils as part of environmental monitoring plans.

Methods and matrices analyzed

The choice of method depends on the matrix, the targeted compounds, and the desired quantification threshold:

• TD-GC-MS (thermal desorption) : reference method for the analysis of VOC emissions from materials and indoor air.
• Headspace GC-MS : suitable for volatile compounds in solid or liquid matrices, without complex preparation.
• GC-FID : used for the reliable and reproducible quantification of volatile compounds, including residual solvents and hydrocarbons.

Commonly analyzed matrices include polymers and plastics, packaging, cosmetics, solvents, paints and varnishes, textiles, as well as air and environmental samples. The analysis is used for product safety, regulatory compliance, and emissions monitoring.

Additional analyses

VOC analysis is often part of a broader approach to materials and packaging testing. These analyses are frequently performed as a complement to:

• Formaldehyde dosage : a closely monitored VOC, present in resins, glues, panels and textiles, classified as a probable carcinogen.
• Global and specific migration tests : assessment of the transfer of substances from packaging to food or cosmetics, according to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.
• Packaging quality control : physico-chemical characterization and identification of contaminants in packaging materials.
• Determination of residual solvents : quantification of residual solvents according to ICH Q3C guidelines, by GC-FID or headspace GC-MS.

Our scientific team helps you build an analysis plan tailored to your matrix and regulatory constraints.

Why choose YesWeLab?

Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, distributors, and engineering firms have entrusted us with the management of their analyses via our digital platform. We collaborate with a rigorously selected network of laboratories, most of which are certified and/or accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC). Each laboratory is chosen based on your specific needs, the matrices to be analyzed, and the required techniques.

If you have any specific requirements, please specify them in your request: our scientific team will do everything possible to respond accurately and promptly.

To submit a specific requirement or request a quote for VOC testing, contact our team now.