VOCs and occupational health

VOCs, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, esters and ketones, have a wide range of applications in industry. Their applications are so widespread that they are found in nearly every workplace, although the extent may be different. VOCs are used as fuels, solvents for paints, varnishes, lacquers, inks, glues and pesticides, cleaning and drying of metals and instruments, intermediates for the synthesis of other chemicals, etc.