The abbreviation VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) stands for the group of volatile organic compounds, i.e. gaseous and vaporous substances of organic origin that occur in the air. This group of substances includes various hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alcohols and organic acids. In practice, VOCs include solvents, liquid fuels and artificially produced substances, for example. There are also many organic compounds that are formed as part of biological processes. Several hundred different individual compounds of such "volatile organic compounds" can be present in the air. Some of them are classified as hazardous to health and, according to the Federal Environment Agency, must not exceed certain guideline values.
