ARE Labs / Testing scope

VOCs and Gases We Test

ARE Labs provides VOC and gas challenge testing and analytical quantification for air cleaners, sorbent media, emissions, and process studies. Start with the substances below, then match the concentration range and measurement method to your study.

93Named substances
15Chemical groups
1–~50 ppbTypical detection limits

For most chemical species, our detection limits fall between 1 and approximately 50 ppb, depending on the compound, measurement method, and study conditions.

Find a compound

The compound explorer

Measurement approach ↓

93 of 93 substances · 15 of 15 groups

MAX FTIR · defaultInterscan · selected gasesOzone · dedicated analyzer

Alkanes

8
  • Methane
  • ethane
  • n-butane
  • isobutane2-methylpropane
  • n-pentane
  • isopentane2-methylbutane
  • n-hexane
  • n-heptane

Cycloalkanes

3
  • Cyclohexane
  • methylcyclohexane
  • ethylcyclohexane

Alkenes and alkynes

5
  • Ethyleneethene
  • propylenepropene
  • acetyleneethyne
  • isoprene
  • isobuteneisobutylene

Aromatic hydrocarbons

8
  • Benzene
  • toluene
  • ethylbenzene
  • o-xylene
  • m-xylene
  • p-xylene
  • styrene
  • cumeneisopropylbenzene

Terpenes and fragrance compounds

5
  • Limonene
  • linalool
  • alpha-pinene
  • geraniol
  • 3-carene

Alcohols

7
  • Methanol
  • ethanol
  • isopropanolIPA, 2-propanol
  • n-propanol1-propanol
  • n-butanol1-butanol
  • isobutanol
  • tert-butanol

Glycols and glycol ethers

2
  • Propylene glycol1,2-propanediol
  • 2-butoxyethanolethylene glycol monobutyl ether

Aldehydes

8
  • Formaldehydemethanal
  • acetaldehydeethanal
  • propionaldehydepropanal
  • butyraldehydebutanal
  • hexanal
  • acroleinpropenal
  • crotonaldehyde
  • benzaldehyde

Ketones

4
  • Acetonepropanone
  • methyl ethyl ketoneMEK, 2-butanone
  • methyl isobutyl ketoneMIBK
  • 2-hexanone

Organic acids, esters, and nitriles

5
  • Acetic acid
  • ethyl acetate
  • acetonitrile
  • acrylonitrile
  • peracetic acidPAA, peroxyacetic acid

Halogenated solvents

8
  • Dichloromethanemethylene chloride
  • chloroform
  • methyl chloridechloromethane
  • methyl chloroform1,1,1-trichloroethane
  • trichloroethyleneTCE
  • tetrachloroethylenePCE, perchloroethylene
  • bromodichloromethane
  • bromoform

Halogenated aromatics

3
  • Chlorobenzene
  • 1,2-dichlorobenzene
  • 1,4-dichlorobenzene

Refrigerants and fluorinated gases

5
  • R-11trichlorofluoromethane
  • R-12dichlorodifluoromethane
  • R-134a1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane
  • R-1234yf
  • R-1234ze(E)

Nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus compounds

10
  • Ammonia
  • nitric oxideNO
  • nitrogen dioxideNO2
  • sulfur dioxideSO2
  • hydrogen sulfideH2S
  • carbon disulfide
  • monoethanolamineMEA
  • hydrogen cyanideHCN
  • hydrazine
  • phosphine

Other gases, oxidants, and epoxides

12
  • Carbon monoxideCO
  • carbon dioxideCO2
  • ozoneO3
    Dedicated ozone analyzer
  • hydrogen chlorideHCl
  • hydrogen fluorideHF
  • hydrogen
    Interscan
  • chlorine
    Interscan
  • bromine
    Interscan
  • hydrogen peroxide
  • chlorine dioxide
  • ethylene oxideEtO
  • propylene oxide
Measurement approach

Methods for your study

MAX FTIR

MAX FTIR is our starting point for infrared-active compounds, including sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon disulfide. FTIR quantifies selected compounds by comparing gas-phase infrared spectra with reference spectra. Whether it can quantify a particular compound at the concentration needed for the study depends on calibration, spectral overlap, water vapor, and sample handling.

Interscan GasD 8000

We use the Interscan GasD 8000 when MAX FTIR cannot achieve the required quantification, including suitable gas-specific measurements below the usable FTIR range. We select the Interscan configuration for the study.

Ozone

A dedicated ozone analyzer.

Services and applications

Choose your testing path

Practical questions

Q.Can you test a compound that is not on this list?
A.Yes. Send its name or CAS number, sample matrix, and expected range. We can assess custom calibration for additional infrared-active compounds and determine whether gas delivery and analytical quantification are feasible.
Q.Can you generate a challenge and measure the outlet?
A.Yes. A combined study can include controlled gas or vapor introduction and analytical measurements upstream, downstream, or over time. The protocol defines the challenge conditions and the concentration range needed at each sampling location.
Q.Which analyzer do you use for sulfur compounds?
A.MAX FTIR is our default for suitable sulfur compounds. We move to a gas-specific Interscan configuration only when MAX FTIR cannot meet the required quantification for the selected compound and study conditions.
Q.What should I send for a trace gas study?
A.Share the expected concentration range, sample composition, humidity, sampling locations, and timing. We use these details to select the analyzer and define the measurement setup.
Q.Does the list describe a simultaneous measurement panel?
A.No. The list identifies substances to consider when defining a study. MAX FTIR supports multi-component analysis where the spectra and concentration ranges permit it. Interscan configurations are selected for particular gases, and ozone uses a dedicated analyzer.
Next step

Discuss testing context

Use the article as a starting point, then bring product, device, formulation, claim, or regulatory context into a project scoping conversation.

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