VOC Testing
Identify invisible chemicals in your indoor air.
Overview
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are invisible chemicals released from everyday materials inside homes and workplaces. They can significantly affect indoor air quality and human health.
We provide scientific air sampling and lab analysis to identify VOC levels and help you create a healthier indoor environment.
Certified
CARST · C-NRPP aligned
Where VOCs come from
They don’t enter your home — they leave it.
Volatile organic compounds off-gas from materials already inside. Concentrations build during the first weeks, then settle into a persistent baseline.
Fresh paint
Walls and trim off-gas for weeks after application — strongest in the first 72 hours.
New furniture
Upholstery, foam cushions, and pressed-wood frames release formaldehyde and benzene.
Cleaners & solvents
Aerosols, degreasers, and air fresheners spike VOCs the moment they're sprayed.
Pressed-wood & flooring
Laminate, MDF, and engineered wood release formaldehyde for years, not weeks.
Where else VOCs come from
Not all VOCs come from paint cans.
Materials are only half the story. Anything living in the building — microbes, fungi, even your houseplants — emits VOCs too. Lab panels pick them up, and the microbial ones are a useful early signal for hidden mold.
Bacteria
Surface and biofilm communities release microbial VOCs (mVOCs) — the musty smell often noticed before mold is visible.
Fungi
Mold colonies emit characteristic mVOCs (1-octen-3-ol, geosmin) — useful biomarkers when growth is hidden behind walls.
Yeast
Common on damp surfaces and in HVAC condensate. Emits alcohol-class VOCs as it metabolises sugars.
Plants
Even healthy houseplants release small amounts of isoprene and terpenes — not harmful, but they show up on lab panels.
VOCs at a glance
Invisible. Persistent. Measurable.
100s
VOCs detectable
Lab-grade analysis identifies dozens of common compounds.
2–5×
Indoor vs outdoor
EPA: typical indoor VOC concentrations vs outdoor air.
weeks → yrs
Off-gas range
Paint settles in weeks; engineered wood emits for years.
ppb
Detection limit
Parts-per-billion sensitivity in our lab cartridges.
What are VOCs?
VOCs are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. They are often present in new or recently renovated buildings.
- Paints and solvents
- Cleaning products
- New furniture and carpets
- Adhesives and building materials
- Air fresheners and fragrances
- Smoking and combustion sources
Why VOCs are a health concern
Elevated VOCs may affect indoor air quality and may be associated with:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Nausea or discomfort
- Long-term respiratory effects in some cases
Note:Sensitivity varies from person to person.
Why VOC testing matters on Vancouver Island
Homes and buildings across Vancouver Island may have elevated VOC levels due to new construction materials, renovations, poor ventilation, and the high air-tightness of modern homes. Because VOCs are invisible and often odorless, testing is the only way to measure exposure.
Measurement, not guesswork.
Every test uses professional-grade equipment and lab-verified analysis — no surprises, just data you can act on.
Book a TestHow VOC testing works
Our professional VOC testing process:
- Air sampling from indoor environments
- Collection of samples in certified media
- Laboratory analysis using gas chromatography
- Identification of specific VOC compounds
What you receive
- Total VOC (TVOC) levels
- Identification of key chemical compounds
- Comparison with guideline values
- Indoor air quality interpretation
- Practical improvement recommendations
If VOC levels are high
- Improve ventilation immediately
- Remove or isolate emission sources
- Use low-emission materials in the future
- Air purification may help reduce levels
Note:Source control is the most effective long-term solution.
Why choose us
Science-backed measurement, clear reporting.
Serving Vancouver Island
From South Island to North Island — major centres served:
- Victoria
- Sidney
- Sooke
- Duncan
- Nanaimo
- Parksville
- Qualicum Beach
- Port Alberni
- Courtenay
- Comox
- Campbell River
- Tofino
Book your voc testing today.
Fast scheduling. Professional indoor air quality testing across Vancouver Island.