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Volatil organic compounds - VOCs -, are all those hydrocarbons present in a gaseous state at normal ambient temperature, or which are very volatile at that temperature. An organic compound can be considered a VOC if at 20°C it has a vapor pressure of 0.01 kPa or more, or an equivalent volatility under the particular conditions of use - and a boiling point between 50 and 260°C.
VOCs are frequently released by solvents, paints, adhesives and other products commonly used in the cleaning and/or maintenance of buildings.
TVOCs are total organic compounds, the sum of all VOCs measured in indoor air (see point 2).
There are more than 120,000 chemical substances and more than 12 million published compounds. Of these, only a small fraction are studied from a medical perspective and there are limit values for only about 500 in the occupational/professional environment. Furthermore, in the residential environment there is no specific regulation with regard to VOC pollution - beyond recommendations or reference values.
This difficulty and the great variety of substances present in different types of buildings limits the individualized measurement of volatile organic compounds. For this reason, total volatile organic compounds - TVOCs - are used as a reference indicator for the presence of VOC/COVs in indoor air.
However, there is no normative consensus on which specific compounds define TVOCs. UNE-EN 16516:2018+A1:2021, ISO 16000-29:2014 or the study by Mølhave et al. among others, collect specific studies on the specific composition of TVOCs.
Therefore, when comparing TVOC levels between different monitoring scenarios or projects, it is necessary to first understand what is the exact definition or standard used to calculate TVOCs for that particular sensor.
In parallel, for an overall assessment of total organic compounds, the total air concentration in ppb (parts per billion) or µg/m³, of a ratio of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, amines, siloxanes and aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons is measured according to the standard or reference procedure used to calculate TVOCs. However, other compounds with a more critical response on health, such as benzene, naphthalenes, cresols, or styrene, must be studied individually.
The most relevant TVOC standards and level recommendations are summarized below:
The reference values in My inbiot are based on the classification of total volatile organic compounds of the German Federal Environmental Agency, above which, depending on the exposure time, they can lead to allergic and sensitizing reactions, hypersensitivities or diseases of various pathologies.
Based on this classification, the following ranks have been established in My inBiot:
The concentration of total organic compounds in air is determined in ppb (parts per billion).
The relationship between ppb and µg/m³ is not straightforward, as the conversion of TVOC units depends on the specific compounds that define TVOCs and their molecular weights.
The technology used for continuous monitoring of TVOCs allows accurate and sensitive identification of the trend and amplitude of VOC concentration changes in the air. However, it is not a suitable technology for absolute quantification of volatile organic compounds. Therefore, it is possible to determine TVOC levels with relative units (Index Points). These relative measurements can be converted to absolute concentration using conversion factors.
The inBiot sensor is calibrated for ethanol. However, these ethanol-based ppb measurements can be converted to other reference gases using conversion factors. Some of the most common are isobutylene and Molhave gas mixture, used in RESET and WELL respectively.
TVOCMolhave[ppb]=0.58∗TVOCethanol[ppb].
TVOCMolhave[μg/m3]=4.5∗TVOCMolhave[ppb]=2.61∗TVOCethanol[ppb].
TVOCisobutylene[μg/m3]=2.3∗TVOCethanol[ppb].
Volatile organic compounds are present in solvents, paints, glues, varnishes and the like, in plastics, furniture, building materials (insulation, finishing boards, foams), cleaning, hygiene and maintenance products in buildings. They are common compounds, easily found in building interiors.
We spend between 80 and 90% of our time indoors. Our interrelationship with factors such as temperature, humidity, air renewal or the presence of volatile organic compounds characterize an adequate indoor environment and condition our health. An indoor environment without the presence of harmful volatile organic compounds will be an indoor environment focused on health, without the presence of irritating and/or potentially allergic substances, guaranteeing comfort and well-being, with positive impacts on the productivity and creativity of its occupants.
The risk from the presence of VOCs occurs mainly during the use of products containing VOCs and in the first days and weeks immediately after use. Some of the most common VOCs with the highest health impact are being replaced by alternative compounds. However, these have higher boiling points, so they can off-gas for longer and pose, like the VOCs they replace, significant health risks.
The health effects are diverse, depending on the compound and the period of exposure. VOCs are generally fat soluble and in the short term may cause allergic reactions, headache, mucosal irritation, itchy nose, red eyes, coughing, fatigue, dizziness or skin spots. In the long term, they can damage the liver, kidneys or the central nervous system, and some of them can be carcinogenic.
Los valores de referencia en My inbiot están basados en la clasificación de compuestos orgánicos volátiles totales de la Agencia Federal Medioambiental alemana, a partir de los cuales, y en función del tiempo de exposición, pueden derivar en reacciones alérgicas y sensibilizantes, hipersensibilidades o enfermedades de diversas patologías.
Con base en esta clasificación, se han establecido los siguientes rangos en My inBiot:
La concentración de compuestos orgánicos totales en el aire se determina en ppb (partes por billón).
La relación entre ppb y µg/m³ no es directa, ya que la conversión de unidades de TVOC depende de los compuestos específicos que definen los TVOC y sus pesos moleculares.
La tecnología utilizada para la monitorización continua de TVOC permite identificar de forma precisa y sensible la tendencia y amplitud de los cambios de concentración de VOC en el aire. Sin embargo, no es una tecnología adecuada para la cuantificación en valor absoluto de compuestos orgánicos volátiles. Por eso, es posible determinar los niveles de TVOC con unidades relativas (Index Points). Estas mediciones relativas pueden convertirse a concentración absoluta mediante factores de conversión.
El sensor de inBiot está calibrado para el etanol. Sin embargo, estas mediciones de ppb en base etanol pueden convertirse a otros gases de referencia utilizando los factores de conversión. Algunos de los más comunes son el isobutileno y la mezcla de gases Molhave, utilizados en RESET y WELL respectivamente.
TVOCMolhave[ppb]=0.58∗TVOCethanol[ppb]
TVOCMolhave[μg/m3]=4.5∗TVOCMolhave[ppb]=2.61∗TVOCethanol[ppb]
TVOCisobutylene[μg/m3]=2.3∗TVOCethanol[ppb]
Los compuestos orgánicos volátiles están presentes en disolventes, pinturas, pegamentos, barnices y similares, en elementos plásticos, mobiliario, materiales de construcción (aislantes, tableros de acabado, espumas), productos de limpieza, higiene y mantenimiento en edificios. Son compuestos comunes, fácilmente localizados en interiores de edificios.
Pasamos entre un 80 y un 90% de nuestro tiempo en espacios interiores. Nuestra interrelación con factores como la temperatura, la humedad, la renovación de aire o la presencia de compuestos orgánicos volátiles caracterizan un adecuado ambiente interior y condicionan nuestra salud. Un ambiente interior sin presencia de compuestos orgánicos volátiles perjudiciales será un ambiente interior enfocado a la salud, sin presencia de sustancias irritantes y/o potencialmente alérgicas, que garantice el confort y bienestar, con impactos positivos sobre la productividad y creatividad de sus ocupantes.
El riesgo derivado de la presencia de VOC se produce principalmente durante de los productos que los contienen y en los primeros días y semanas inmediatas. Algunos de los VOCs más frecuentes y de mayor impacto sobre la salud están siendo sustituídos por compuestos alternativos. Sin embargo, estas presentan puntos de ebullición más elevados, por lo que pueden liberar gases durante más tiempo y suponer, al igual que los VOCs a los que sustituyen, importantes riesgos para la salud.
Los efectos sobre la salud son diversos, en función del compuesto y el periodo de exposición. Los VOCs, generalmente son liposolubles y a corto plazo pueden derivar en reacciones alérgicas, dolor de cabeza, irritación de las mucosas, picor de nariz, ojos enrojecidos, tos, fatiga, mareos o manchas en la piel. A largo plazo, pueden dañar el hígado, riñones o el sistema nervioso central, y algunos de ellos pueden ser cancerígenos.
