--- title: ION Science Info Blog | Emily Lane --- - [Distributor & Service Centre Portal](http://distributors.ionscience.com) - [Gas Search](http://www.ionscience.com/product-range/search-by-gas/) - Ion Science Offices UK Office USA Office Italy Office Germany Office China Office France Office [![HubSpotTemplateLogo](https://blog.ionscience.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/IONLogo.png?width=108&name=IONLogo.png "ION Science Logo")](http://www.ionscience.com) - - - [Home](http://www.ionscience.com/) - [Product Range](http://www.ionscience.com/product-range/) - [Instruments](http://www.ionscience.com/product-range/) - [PID Sensors](http://www.ionscience.com/product-range/pid-sensors/) - [Search by gas](http://www.ionscience.com/product-range/search-by-gas/) - [Search by industry](http://www.ionscience.com/industry/instruments/) - [Industries](http://www.ionscience.com/industry/instruments/) - [Instruments](http://www.ionscience.com/industry/instruments/) - [PID Sensors](http://www.ionscience.com/industry/sensors/) - [Where to Buy](http://www.ionscience.com/where-to-buy/) - [All Distributors](http://www.ionscience.com/where-to-buy/) - [Map](http://www.ionscience.com/where-to-buy/map/) - [Find a Service Centre](http://www.ionscience.com/where-to-buy/service-centre/) - [Customer Support](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/) - [Media Centre](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/) - [Application Articles](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/application-ariticles/) - [Brochures](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/brochures/) - [Customer case studies](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/customer-case-studies/) - [Instrument Gas Tables](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/instrument-gas-tables/) - [Instrument Software](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/instrument-software/) - [Quick Start Guides](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/quick-start-guides/) - [Manuals](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/instrument-manuals/) - [Technical Application Articles](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/technical-application-articles/) - [Technical Bulletins](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/technical-bulletins/) - [Video Library](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/media-centre/video-library/) - [Customer Feedback](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/customer-feedback/) - [Customer Testimonials](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/testimonials/) - [Distributor & Service Centre Login](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/distributor-login/) - [FAQs](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/faqs/) - [Instrument Registration](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/instrument-registration/) - [Service & Support](http://www.ionscience.com/customer-support/service-and-support/) - [Ion Science](http://www.ionscience.com/ion-science/about-us/) - [About us](http://www.ionscience.com/ion-science/about-us/) - [Careers](http://www.ionscience.com/ion-science/careers/) - [Current vacancies](http://www.ionscience.com/ion-science/careers/current-vacancies/) - [What it’s like to work for Ion Science](http://www.ionscience.com/ion-science/careers/what-its-like-to-work-for-ion-science/) - [Submit your CV](http://www.ionscience.com/ion-science/careers/submit-your-cv/) - [Exhibitions](http://www.ionscience.com/exhibitions/) - [History](http://www.ionscience.com/ion-science/history/) - [Campaigns](http://www.ionscience.com/campaigns/) - News/Blog - [Industry Blog](https://blog.ionscience.com/blog) - [Company News](http://www.ionscience.com/news/) - [Contact us](http://www.ionscience.com/contact/) - [Germany](http://www.ionscience.com/contact/germany-office/) - [Italy](http://www.ionscience.com/contact/italy-office/) - [UK](http://www.ionscience.com/contact/uk-office/) - [USA](http://www.ionscience.com/contact/usa-office/) - [Distributor & Services Centre Portal](http://distributors.ionscience.com/) # ION Science Industry Blog The latest industry news, knowledge and opinion. - [home](http://www.ionscience.com/) - News/Blog ## Emily Lane ### Recent Posts [![VOC Gas Detectors for Laboratory Environments](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/VOC%20Gas%20Detectors%20for%20Laboratory%20Environments.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/voc-gas-detectors-for-laboratory-environments) 1 August 2019 ## VOC Gas Detectors for Laboratory Environments ### GAS DETECTORS FOR LABORATORIES The development of laboratory safety and cleanroom technology has enabled much higher levels of safety and cleanliness in manufacturing, pharmaceutical and scientific laboratories and including any other environment in which small particles or gases in the air can be detrimental to the process. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and toxic gases still continue to be present within hospitals, cleanrooms and laboratories due to the type of work carried out. Those responsible for working within these environments face potential implications due to the impact hazardous VOC gases can have on both the health of workers and of equal importance on the work and tests being conducted. [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/voc-gas-detectors-for-laboratory-environments#comments-listing) [![Environmental & Economic](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/Evironmental%20%26%20Economic.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/environmental-and-economic) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) [Air Quality](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/air-quality) [Environmental](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/environmental) 28 March 2019 ## Environmental & Economic   Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a fundamental parameter in assessing air quality. The European Environment Agency (EEA) reported in 2018  that air pollution was the cause of almost 50,000 premature deaths in Europe per year.  This finding pre-empted the head of the EEA agency stating "*Air pollution is an invisible killer and we need to step up our efforts to address the causes*”. Clearly preventing premature deaths is a priority and reducing air pollution could save millions of lives.  Heavy industries are a major source of VOCs and recent modification to EPA rules call for the tighter enforcement of fence line monitoring to reduce environmental emissions.  [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/environmental-and-economic#comments-listing) [![Health and Safety in Heavy Industries](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/Health%20%26%20Safet%20-%20heavy%20Industries.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/health-and-safety-in-heavy-industries) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) [Health & Safety](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/health-safety) 28 March 2019 ## Health and Safety in Heavy Industries   Many vapours and gases found in heavy industries pose an explosion risk. For any gas to combust it must reach its lower explosive limit (LELs). Lower explosive limits have been well established for 100s of chemicals and generally vapours from VOCs have relatively low explosion limits. For example, methane and hydrogen have LELs of 50,000 ppm and 40,000 ppm respectively whereas benzene has an LEL of only 13,000 ppm. At high concentrations VOC are also an asphyxiation risk. Like CO2, a gas all too frequently responsible for serious effects on human health, VOC are much denser than air. Therefore, where confined spaces exist it is possible for VOCs to displace oxygen and create dangerous environments.   [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/health-and-safety-in-heavy-industries#comments-listing) [![Heating,ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/HVAC.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/hvac) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) 28 February 2019 ## Heating,ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)     Inadequate indoor ventilation is now being combatted by intelligent heating ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC). HVAC systems are now being developed and integrated in a standard way to establish a balance between adequate ventilation to prevent sickness, and also energy efficiency. Building management systems are one solution to address the balance, whereby widely distributed sensors that, for example, monitor temperature, humidity and VOCs can be used to optimise HVAC performance but minimise energy use. [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/hvac#comments-listing) [![Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/SBS.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/sick-building-syndrome-sbs) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) 28 February 2019 ## Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)     Poor air quality and ventilation are key contributing factors to Sick building syndrome (SBS), an illness diagnosed by a collection of acute symptoms whilst in a particular environment. Possible SBS symptoms according to the NHS include: - headaches - blocked or runny nose - dry itchy skin - dry and sore eyes - rashes - tiredness and difficulty concentrating [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/sick-building-syndrome-sbs#comments-listing) [![Work, Home, Outdoors](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/Work%20Home%20and%20Outdoors.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/work-home-and-outdoors) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) 28 February 2019 ## Work, Home, Outdoors     Multiple inspiring innovations are being integrated globally across the built environment to address the ongoing issue of air quality. Each year in the UK, around 40,000 deaths are attributable to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Living among busy roads and industrialised areas is creating vulnerability in the public’s health and stretching the healthcare system. In Greater Manchester outdoor air pollution is costing the regional economy close to £1bn a year, plus reducing life expectancy by six months due to the high levels of pollution in the congested city area.  As a result of modern day activities and lifestyle habits we are being exposed to higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in our work place, in the home and equally in the outdoor environment. [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/work-home-and-outdoors#comments-listing) [![Clean Air Strategy 2019](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/Clean%20Air%20Strategy%202019-2.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/clean-air-strategy) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) [Clean Air](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/clean-air) 28 February 2019 ## Clean Air Strategy 2019   To further address the health and safety and environmental issues surrounding air pollution, in January 2019 the UK government launched a [Clean Air Strategy](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-air-strategy-2019) to outline how they will tackle all sources of air pollution, making air healthier to breathe, protecting nature and boosting the economy. The government confirms their plans for dealing with all sources of air pollution, making our air healthier to breathe, protecting nature and boosting the economy. [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/clean-air-strategy#comments-listing) [![Environmental issues](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/Environmental%20Issues.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/environmental-issues) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) [Clean Air](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/clean-air) 28 February 2019 ## Environmental issues       Air pollution is now something we are all aware of and is often included alongside UV levels on weather forecasts. VOCs are themselves directly an air pollutant but also have secondary effects. When sunlight and heat react with VOCs, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (gasses released from many industrial process and vehicles) ozone is generated and smog is formed. [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/environmental-issues#comments-listing) [![Health and Safety issues](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/Health%20%26%20Safety%20issues.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/health-and-safety-issues) [VOC](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) [Health & Safety](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/health-safety) 28 February 2019 ## Health and Safety issues   Whilst many VOCs have no adverse effects on health and the environment, some are harmful. Health effects include eye, nose and throat irritation from short term exposures (think about a whiff of super glue) and long-term exposure to very low concentrations you are not aware of (parts per billion) may cause damage to liver, kidneys, central nervous system and cancers. As VOCs exist as a gas at room temperature the main exposure route is through normal respiration. Exposure to harmful VOCs can happen at home, outdoors or in the workplace. [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/health-and-safety-issues#comments-listing) [![Subsurface Gas Monitoring](https://blog.ionscience.com/hubfs/Subsurface%20gas%20migration.png)](https://blog.ionscience.com/subsurface-gas-monitoring) [Soil Remediation](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/soil-remediation) 11 July 2018 ## Subsurface Gas Monitoring   So, what can be done to mitigate the potential drastic effects? Whether a landowner, developer or regulator the objective is identical; namely to ensure that any existing or proposed development remains or takes place safely. [Emily Lane](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane) [0](https://blog.ionscience.com/subsurface-gas-monitoring#comments-listing) « Previous [1](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane/page/1) [2](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane/page/2) [3](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane/page/3) [4](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane/page/4) [5](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane/page/5) [Next »](https://blog.ionscience.com/author/emily-lane/page/2) ## Subscribe to the ION newsletter Newsletter subscribers receive news and important information as soon as it is released ### Blog Categories - [Benzene (16)](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/benzene) - [VOC (15)](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/voc) - [Gas Detection (10)](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/gas-detection) - [Health & Safety (8)](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/health-safety) - [News (8)](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/news) - [Air Quality (7)](https://blog.ionscience.com/topic/air-quality) - 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