Scan4Air Kit - VOC Screening

VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds, a family of chemicals that are volatile at room temperature. They are therefore present in a gaseous state in professional environments. Certain VOCs used in craft and industrial activities are recognised as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR).

Regular monitoring of occupational exposure to CMR-classified VOCs is an essential regulatory requirement for protecting workers' health and preventing occupational diseases.

When should you use a Scan4Air - VOC Screening Kit?

Unlike targeted analyses of specific VOCs, screening is a broader investigation involving a search of a database of over 1,000 VOCs. This makes it possible to identify all VOCs present and quantify them.

It is useful to use a Scan4Air Screening kit, particularly in the following situations:

• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of workplace air quality by measuring VOCs
• Identifying VOCs present in workplace air
• There are many different chemicals, and information (composition, SDS, etc.) is not available

What does the Scan4Air - VOC Screening analysis kit contain?

• A Scan4Air VOC sensor
• Instructions for use
• A sampling form to be completed and returned with your sample
• Laboratory analysis of the sample
• Analysis report sent by email to the address provided on the sampling form

Postage costs (delivery and return within mainland France) are included.

What are the main professional uses of VOCs?

VOCs are very common in craft and industrial activities, particularly as:

• Solvents in the chemical and petrochemical industries
• Raw materials for the synthesis of chemical products (cosmetics, plastics, pharmaceuticals, etc.)
• Present in certain fuels and oils
• Used in the manufacture of rubber, resins and dyes

What are the occupational exposure limit values (OELVs) that employers must comply with?

Occupational exposure to VOCs classified as CMR substances is subject to strict regulations under labour law. According to regulations in force in France, exposure to VOCs must be below the 8-hour TLOU (during an 8-hour working period) and the STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit, maximum exposure time of 15 minutes).

Les VLEP à respecter sont mises à jours régulièrement et présentées sur le site de l'INRS. 

OELs may be binding, meaning that operators' exposure must not exceed the OEL, or indicative, meaning that it is recommended that operators' exposure be below the OEL. 

How is your air sample collected and analysed?

• Sampling: This is carried out using a Scan4Air VOC sampler containing activated carbon, specially designed for sampling to measure occupational exposure.
  
  • For workplace atmosphere measurements, it is placed in the working environment for a period of 8 hours.
  • For occupational exposure measurements, it is attached to the operator's collar using the clip provided for a period of 8 hours.
• Analysis: After extracting the activated carbon with a solvent, the extract is analysed by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) for reliable and accurate detection.
• Turnaround time: Your analysis results are available within 15 working days.
• Report: Your analysis results are sent by email in the form of a detailed and interpreted report, written in English.

Which VOCs are tested for when analysing your air sample?

The analysis of your sample involves a non-targeted search for VOCs. Each substance detected is identified by its mass spectrum through comparison with a database of reference mass spectra. This mass spectrum is a unique spectral fingerprint for each VOC, enabling its identification with a high degree of reliability.

Spectral research focuses in particular on aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, etc.), solvents (acetone, etc.), glycol ethers, terpenes (limonene, pinene, etc.), halogenated solvents (trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, etc.), and hydrocarbons.

Measuring the signal intensity allows for accurate quantification of the quantity present and reliable measurement of occupational exposure levels.

Homogeneous Exposure Group (HEG)

The regulatory study of occupational exposure requires the simultaneous measurement of the exposure of three operators (Homogeneous Exposure Group) and the measurement of the ambient air in the workplace. The GHE version of this kit includes all the equipment needed to perform these four measurements.

This kit allows you to measure the air quality of a workplace or occupational exposure quickly, easily and reliably to ensure compliance with regulations and safety at work.