Heavy Industry VOC Problems and How VOC Monitors Can Help

The inhalation of hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can result in a variety of acute and chronic health issues. Because VOCs are produced in such high quantities in heavy industry, having dependable and accurate VOC monitors installed in these situations is critical for staff safety and well-being. We'll look at what VOCs are, the problems they bring in heavy industries, and how VOC monitors might assist reduce those risks in this piece.

What Are Volatile Organic Compounds, and How Do They Work?

The term "volatile organic compound" covers a wide range of substances. It refers to any organic chemical (i.e., any molecule with carbon-hydrogen bonds) that meets a specified threshold of volatility, i.e., a proclivity to evaporate in air. A VOC is defined as "any organic compound having a vapour pressure of 0.01 kPa or greater at 293.15 K (or having a corresponding volatility under the particular conditions of usage)" according to the European Union's VOC Solvents Directive. 1

Because of this broad definition, not all VOCs are inherently harmful: many VOCs are vital in a variety of biochemical activities in healthy plants and animals. Many of the VOCs produced in heavy industry, on the other hand, pose a major health risk.

What are the Consequences of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?

Benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, xylenes, styrene, and formaldehyde are all known carcinogens and hazardous VOCs. The most common acute symptoms of toxic VOC exposure include eye and throat irritation, dizziness, nausea, and, in rare cases, coma or death.

Long-term exposure to VOCs, on the other hand, has considerably more negative consequences. Hormonal imbalances, liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage, and even cancer are among them. As a result, VOCs are a critical parameter in determining air quality, and VOC monitors are critical in maintaining safety.

What are the Most Common VOC Sources?

Fossil fuel consumption and production, solvents used in coatings and paints, and compressed aerosol products are all major anthropogenic (man-made) sources of dangerous VOCs. Heavy sectors, such as steel foundries and refineries, are particularly concerned about VOCs because they are generally present in large concentrations.

Anthropogenic VOCs are restricted by law, especially indoors, where concentrations can reach ten times those outside.

VOC Risks in Heavy Industry: What Can Be Done?

VOC monitors are critical in industrial contexts for measuring air VOC levels and ensuring personnel safety.

VOC monitors come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and installations are often application-specific. Fixed VOC monitors can be used to keep certain dangers under control; these are typically employed in areas where emissions or leaks are more likely and/or dangerous. Fixed devices include everything from site-wide area addressable detectors to small-area standalone VOC monitors. It's worth noting that some VOC gases, such ammonia, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde, have dedicated sensors. As a result, whenever a specialised sensor for your target gas is available, use it. Because VOC detection and gas detection in general is such a specialised field, you may want assistance from industry professionals, which our team can provide.

Individual members of the team can also use portable VOC monitors to keep an eye on their surroundings. These employ highly sensitive detectors to deliver real-time VOC level feedback to employees who are travelling from one location to another and may be exposed to unforeseen VOC dangers. The PID NEO, for example, is the ideal option from IGD, as it employs world-leading PID detector technology to identify over 700 VOCs.

International Gas Detectors' VOC Monitors IGD has extensive experience in the design and specification of practical VOC monitors and detection systems for a wide range of applications. We've been detecting VOCs for over two decades and making gas detectors for over a century.

As a result, we are able to provide our clients with the best VOC monitors available. ATEX/IECEx detectors are designed for use in potentially explosive environments or places that are exposed to the elements. Process monitoring, petrochemical, waste water, and hazardous chemical storage are examples of these uses. With a variety of attachments to fit your application, the TOC-750X is the world's top ATEX VOC monitor for ATEX zoned applications.

The TOC-750S aspirated detector and the TOC-750 safe area detector are suited for less demanding commercial/research applications. The sensors, electronics, and software in these safe area detectors are the same as in ATEX units. The same quality system and testing processes apply to safe area detectors. The only difference is the housing; if ATEX certification isn't necessary, you won't have to pay for it! The TOC-750 safe area addressable and TOC-750S aspirated VOC monitors are commonly used for the following applications: