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.
