Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

October, 2003

Volatile Compounds

Q. What is the difference between percent volatile and volatile organic compounds? Are they the same thing?

A. Thanks for your question. A volatile can be both organic and inorganic. For instance, organic solvents, such as toluene, lacquer thinners, MEK are volatile and VOC. Water is volatile, but is inorganic and hence is not a VOC.

Hope this helps.