VOC Exposure Monitoring: When Should Your Workplace Be Testing?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used across a wide range of workplaces, from manufacturing and construction to painting, cleaning, fuel handling, printing, and industrial processing.
While some VOCs have a noticeable smell, others may be present without an obvious warning. Understanding how much workers are actually exposed to is an important part of managing occupational health risks.
At Verum Group, we provide professional VOC exposure monitoring across New Zealand, the Pacific and Asia, helping businesses understand worker exposure and make informed decisions about workplace controls.
Where Can VOC Exposure Occur?
VOCs are chemicals that readily become vapours or gases and can be released from products and processes used every day.
Common workplace sources include:
Paints, coatings, and solvents
Adhesives and resins
Fuels and petroleum products
Cleaning chemicals
Manufacturing processes
Building and construction materials
Printing and surface-finishing products
Verum Group can monitor exposure to VOCs including benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene, along with other compounds relevant to specific workplace activities.
When Should VOC Monitoring Be Considered?
VOC exposure monitoring can be particularly valuable when:
Workers regularly use or handle solvent-based products.
Chemical processes release vapours into work areas.
New chemicals, materials, or processes are introduced.
Ventilation or extraction systems have changed.
Workers report headaches, irritation, dizziness, or respiratory discomfort.
Existing controls need to be checked to determine whether they are working effectively.
A business needs reliable exposure data as part of its occupational hygiene programme.
Rather than relying on smell or assumptions, professional monitoring provides objective information about what workers may be breathing during their normal tasks.
How Does Personal VOC Monitoring Work?
Verum Group’s personal VOC monitoring involves workers wearing specialised sampling equipment during their normal work shift.
This measures exposure in the worker’s breathing zone, providing a clearer picture of the concentrations they may encounter while completing different tasks.
The results can then be assessed against relevant workplace exposure guidance and used to understand whether existing risk controls are appropriate.
Turning VOC Monitoring Results Into Action
Exposure monitoring is most valuable when the results lead to practical improvements.
Depending on the findings, businesses may consider measures such as:
Substituting a product for a lower-risk alternative.
Improving local exhaust ventilation.
Enclosing or isolating processes.
Changing work practices or exposure times.
Reviewing respiratory protective equipment and PPE.
Conducting further or ongoing exposure monitoring.
Monitoring can also help confirm whether controls already in place are effectively reducing worker exposure.
A Proactive Approach to VOC Exposure
VOC exposure is not always obvious, which makes reliable data important when managing workplace health risks.
Professional monitoring helps businesses understand where exposure is occurring, who may be most affected, and where controls could be improved.
Verum Group provides VOC monitoring services across New Zealand, the Pacific and Asia, combining personal exposure sampling with expert analysis and practical recommendations to help organisations create healthier, safer workplaces.
If VOCs are used or generated in your workplace, contact Verum Group to discuss whether an exposure monitoring programme could help you better understand and manage the risk.