Volatile Organic Compounds Analysis (VOC) Testing for CDPH Compliance

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are compounds with a high vapour pressure and low water solubility. There are different methods for measuring Total VOC, VOC emissions. The method developed by CDPH (California Department of Public Health) takes 14 days and is the standard method adopted by US Green Building Body and LEED. This method is widely accepted worldwide and is in agreement with ISO 16000.

Many VOCs are synthetic chemicals used or produced in the manufacture of various products like paint, pharmaceuticals and refrigerants. Due to their volatility, VOCs can be released into the surrounding air during production, application, and use.

VOCs contain a variety of chemicals, some of which can have adverse health effects. Several countries have restrictions for the VOC content in products, to limit the potentially released VOCs. Other regulations limit only the emissions and do not consider the VOCs that remains in the product and are not released into air.

VOC measurement

Below definitions are used for indoor air quality monitoring, and for VOC emissions testing.

ISO 16000-6 defines VOC as any organic compound with a boiling point ranging from (50 °C to 100 °C) or (240 °C to 260 °C), corresponding to having saturation vapour pressures at 25 °C greater than 100 kPa.

Total VOCs (TVOC) is defined in ISO 16000-6 and in EN 16516 as all VOCs (ISO 16000-6) or as the sum of all detected volatile organic compounds, sampled on Tenax TA, which elute from a non-polar or slightly polar gas chromatographic separation column between and including n-hexane and n-hexadecane (n-C6 - n-C16), measured by mass selective detector (MSD), and quantified as toluene equivalent (meaning as if it were toluene).

This covers any organic compound with a boiling ranging circa between 68 °C and 287 °C. This definition is the most used for VOC emission testing throughout the world.

VOC testing

VOC testing is applicable for all building materials including paint, carpet, cement, ceiling, tiles, and furniture. Test results are modelled into real world scenarios by IAQ-modeling and the emission factor is calculated for bedrooms, private offices, etc. The results are compared against different regulation such as CREL, CA Prop 65 and UL 2818. Wimpey Laboratory has the unique testing capabilities to carry out VOC tests meeting the CDPH and LEED V4 requirements.

Emission chamber testing is the reference method. Related testing standards are e.g. ISO 16000, EN 16516, EN 717-1, EMICODE test method, CDHP test method and many more. The testing process starts with the sample being placed in a special conditioning chamber with an air supply and temperature maintained at 23 degrees Celsius. This condition is kept for 7-10 days which is called the condition period. After this, a 4-day long testing period starts, in which air samples from the chamber are collected at 24, 48 and 96 hours. These samples are later analysed in a GC-MS analyser for the target VOCs and TVOC.

Products requiring VOC testing:

Low-Emitting Materials – adhesives and sealants
IEQc4.2 Low-Emitting Materials – paints and coatings
IEQc4.3 Low-Emitting Materials – flooring systems
IEQc4.4 Low-Emitting Materials – composite wood and agrifiber products

Carbon-containing compounds (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates and ammonium carbonates) with vapour pressures at standard conditions approximately ranging between those for n-pentane through n-heptadecane (n-C5 - n-C17).

For the purposes of the Californian CDPH standard method, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are considered to be VOCs.

To learn more about VOC testing or to request for a quote, please contact us.