Volatile Organic Compounds Detected by BAPI’s VOC Sensor – Application Note


Depending on the source of the information, 5,000 to 10,000 unique Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) exist.  BAPI’s VOC sensor reacts to all of them.

VOCs are chemicals that contain carbon and have boiling points below 100°C.  Most can be vapors at room temperature.  In their liquid form many VOCs can contaminate ground water.

Families of VOCs detected are:

  • CO, CH4, LPG
  • Alcohols
  • Ketones. Ketones are solvents.  The best known are Acetone and Methyl Ethyl Ketone or MEK.
  • Organic Acids. Common organic acids are Lactic acid, Acetic acid, Formic acid, Citric acid and Oxalic acid
  • Amines. Amines are derivatives of ammonia. Wikipedia lists 175 compounds as amines, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Amines
  • Aliphatic Hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are flammable hydrocarbons with little or no odor.  Examples are hexane, paraffin, methane and acetylene.
  • Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Aromatic hydrocarbons are flammable hydrocarbons with a discernible odor.  Examples are benzene, furan, pyridine, toluene, asphaltene and picric acid.

A list of some of the most common VOCs and their sources follows:

1-hexene

Human metabolism

1-isocyanobutane

Coatings

1,1,1-trichloroethane

Ink, Paint, Photo-resist, Photographic film

1,4-dioxane

Spot removers

2-bromopentane

Prescription drugs

(2-methylcyclohexyl) propanedinitrile

Human metabolism

2,2-dimethylbutane

Human metabolism

2,3,3-trimethylpentane

Human metabolism

2,3-dimethylpentane

Human metabolism

2,3,4-trimetylpentane

Human metabolism

3-methylhexane

Human metabolism

3,4-dimethyl-1-pentene

Human metabolism

4-methyl-1-pentene

Human metabolism

5-methyl-1-hexene

Human metabolism

6-methyl-1-heptanol

Human metabolism

Acetaldehyde

Disinfectants, Adhesives, Coatings, Plastics, Lubricants, Ripening of fruit

Acetic acid esters

Surface cleaners

Acetone

Polyester resins, Vinyl, Adhesives, Human metabolism

bis-(1,1-dimethylethyl)nitroxide

Human metabolism

Benzene

Plastics, Building materials, Furniture, Office equipment

Butoxyethanol

Surface cleaners

Butyl acetate

Surface cleaners

C6 – C10 substituted alkanes

Cleaners, Polishers

Carbon Monoxide

Automobile exhaust, Fuel based heating, Cooking appliances, Smoking

Decanal

Artificial flavors, Perfume, Human metabolism

Dichlorobenzene

Deodorizers

Dipropylene glycol

Surface cleaners

Ethanol

Disinfectants, Human metabolism

Ethyl Alcohol

Cosmetics, Cleaners, Disinfectants, Detergents, Paints, Cooking appliances, Smoking

Eucalyptol

Cosmetics, Artificial flavors, Insecticides

Formaldehyde

Biocides, Disinfectants

Heptane

Human metabolism

Hydrocarbons

Waxes, Polishes

Isobutane

Aerosol cleaners

Isobutene

Aerosol cleaners

Isoprene

Synthetic rubber, Human metabolism

Limonene

Cosmetics, Cleaners, Artificial flavors, Prescription drugs

Methane

Natural gas, Human metabolism

Methoxyethanol

Surface cleaners

Methoxyethoxyethanol

Surface cleaners

Methylcyclohexane

Human metabolism

Methylethylketone

Adhesives, coatings, Plastics, Lubricants

Methyl methacrylate

Hard surface cleaners

Naphthalene

Disinfectants, Repellants

Nonanal

Artificial flavors, Perfume, Human metabolism

Organic Chloramines

Combination of general and pool cleaning chemicals and human metabolism

Pentane

Polystyrene foam, Refrigerants

Phenol

Platics, Cosmetics, Disinfectants

Pinene

Perfume, Human metabolism

Propane

Fuel-based heating, Cooking appliances, Cleaners

Siloxanes

Waxes, Polishes

Tetrachloroethene

Dry cleaning

Tetrachloroethylene

Spot cleaners

Toluene

Paints, Coatings, Cleaners, Detergents, Smoking, Polyurethane lacquers

Trichloromethane

Human metabolism

r (1-methylethyl)cyclopropane

Adhesives, Coatings, Plastics, Lubricants

Xylene

Plastics, Synthetic Rubber, Polyester clothing

If you have any additional questions about the BAPI VOC sensor, please contact your BAPI representative.


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