ION Science Industry Blog

The latest industry news, knowledge and opinion.
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.

VOC 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 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.

VOC 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.

VOC 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.

Oil & Gas Benzene TAC VOC
13 December 2017

Understanding the Benzene ring

"The benzene ring is a basic component of many organic compounds, especially the aromatic hydrocarbons. In benzene itself, each carbon atom is also bonded to a hydrogen atom; in derivatives of benzene, one or more of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by other atoms or groups of atoms."
Dictionary.com