Research database

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in air are diverse gaseous substances. Some are particularly harmful for the environment and human health, whilst others are key-players in photochemical formation of air pollutants. The measurement of VOCs is complex due to the many different molecules present in the atmosphere at very low concentration levels ((sub) part-per-billions) and currently only a very few VOC indicators can be measured routinely at monitoring stations and laboratories. In addition, regional (EMEP) and global (WMO/GAW) VOC programmes are struggling to obtain high quality and comparable data. In order to address these issues more accurate measurement of VOCs are required, including improving the current measurement infrastructure for VOCs, providing traceable gas standards and validating measurement systems.