Volatile organic compounds are known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). They have poisoning effects on employee health. Volatile organic compounds are used in many industries such as paint, varnish, lacquer production, dry cleaning, metal polishing, glue, upholstery, leather and printing. These compounds often cause a number of complaints about the nervous system, such as headache, fatigue, and lethargy at low concentrations. However, exposure to these compounds at high concentrations causes many systemic toxic effects on the body. Among these compounds, the most important compounds in terms of health risks are: toluene, benzene, ethyl benzene, xylene.

Many studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of volatile organic compounds exposed on the working environment on employee health. The manner of action of these compounds is different. For example, toluene disrupts the calcium balance in the cell structure and causes poisoning. Nowadays, in many fields of industry, these chemicals are generally used in various mixtures.

In addition to factors such as ventilation and temperature on the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the working environment, the elapsed time is also very important. For example, volatile organic compounds found in building materials have the ability to evaporate rapidly and affect the workers working in construction mostly. There are volatile organic compounds such as xylene and toluene in the boards and gypsum blocks used in wall construction. There is formaldehyde in the structure of concrete. The longer the elapsed time after using these volatile organic compounds, the lower the exposure level.

In accredited laboratories, volatile organic compounds exposure measurements are also performed within the framework of personal exposure measurements. These measurement and analysis studies are based on methods and standards published by domestic and foreign organizations. For example TS ISO 16200-1 and TS ISO 16200-2 standards and NIOSH 1501 Method.