VOC stands for English Volatile Organic Compound and stands for volatile organic compounds. VOCs are volatile chemicals that harm human health and the environment. Keeping these volatile organic compounds under control is extremely important for the health and safety of employees and for the protection of the environment. In order to reduce VOC emissions, various legal regulations and standards are established at national and international levels.
These volatile chemicals are generally odorless and colorless and are mostly composed of gases. The source of VOC, which is volatile organic chemical components that evaporate and mix with air under normal conditions, are solvent, thinner and similar petroleum derived products especially used in cleaning agents and paints. These are harmful substances for environmental conditions and human health. VOCs cause pollution especially in air pollution, soil and groundwater. The direct effect of VOC on human health is especially encountered in indoor environments. For example, a VOC value can be measured in a painted area a thousand times higher than in an outdoor environment. Therefore, in the paint sector, it is preferred to use water based paints with a much lower VOC value.
Due to the damages caused by VOCs to the environment and human health, the legal regulations must be complied with in the production of many products, especially in products for indoor use.
Volatile organic compounds cause serious damage to the formation of ground-level ozone. It is also chronic in humans and leads to diseases such as cancer, respiratory system diseases (COPD), headache, fatigue and skin and eye irritation.
What is the scope of VOC measurement?
There are also directives 2004 / 42 / EC and 1999 / 13 / EC within the scope of harmonization with the European Union.
Directive 2004 / 42 / EC relates to the limitation of emissions of volatile organic substances from organic solvents used in certain paints, varnishes, vehicle renewal products. The 1999 / 13 / EC directive relates to the limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds resulting from the use of organic solvents in certain activities and facilities. These two directives support each other.
Today, there are many businesses that cause the release of volatile organic compounds into the air. Organic chemistry, rubber, rubber, plastic, asphalt production, fiberglass, wastewater treatment, electronics, paint spray, pharmaceutical and textile enterprises and all companies using organic solvents are the leading ones.
The first legal regulation on volatile organic compounds in our country is the Regulation on the Protection of Air Quality published in 1986. For the first time, this regulation restricts the emissions of organic gases and vapors released into the air, and the enterprises performing the activities described in this regulation are subject to emission permits. A number of problems and deficiencies encountered in the implementation of this method have been eliminated by the Regulation on the Control of Industrial Air Pollution issued in 2004. With this regulation, the scope of the enterprises using solvent and causing VOC emissions has been expanded. With the Regulation on the Control of Air Pollution Caused by Industrial Plants issued in 2006, the companies subject to authorization are given the time required to complete their environmental investments. In addition, the reduction of volatile organic compounds and the elimination of errors arising from emission measurement are included in this regulation in line with the European Union directive 1999 / 13 / EC. Finally, with the Regulation on Control of Industrial Air Pollution, which was issued in 2009, the emissions and air quality limits of the enterprises were determined in order to protect human health and natural environment from the hazards arising from pollution.
our organization TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc.It provides measurement services in accordance with national and international standards and with an objective approach and during its activities, TS EN ISO / IEC 17020 complies with the principles of General Criteria for Operating Institutions of Various Types of Inspection. You can request further information about VOC measurement or other measurements from our organization.