ABSTRACT
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are those organic compounds which have a boilingpoint within the range 50-100 to 240-260°C.1 They include a large number of major air pollutants, emitted from both industrial and non-industrial facilities. Chemically, VOCs include aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, some alcohols, esters, and aldehyes. Table 11.1 shows several examples of this group of compounds. The importance of VOCs as a class of air pollutants is evident in view of the fact that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated them as one of the six “Criteria Air Pollutants.” In this chapter, the sources, characteristics, and health effects of some examples of VOCs are discussed.
