How Accurate is the Sensirion SGP41 TVOC Sensor?
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are a large group of organic chemicals that easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. They have a wide range of natural and synthetic sources and can significantly impact indoor and outdoor air quality. Because some VOCs can adversely affect human health and the environment, they are often discussed in the context of air pollution and health.
There are thousands of VOCs, both natural and synthetic. While no definitive number exists due to their diversity and the continuous discovery of new compounds, many are harmful (and many are not!). Currently, the EPA lists 189 pollutants as hazardous under the Clean Air Act, and many of these are VOCs. Some of the more infamous VOCs are formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene, but relatively harmless VOCs like ethanol also exist.
Since VOCs are very common indoors, many people seek air quality monitors that monitor these compounds. However, because there are so many different types of VOCs, sensing them is challenging, and it’s even more challenging to let users know if the VOCs present in their vicinity are harmful or not.
