Organic volatile compounds, or COV are hydrocarbons (made up of carbon and hydrogen - this last can be partially or completely substituted by the halogens, oxygen, sulphur, phosphorus or nitrogen) whose steam pressure is at least equal to statement equal to or higher than 0,01 kPa than a temperature of 293,15 K (easily being able to be in gas form in the atmosphere).

They can be of anthropic origin (refining, solvent evaporations, unburned...) or natural (plants emissions).

They are precursory, with nitrogen oxides, of the photochemical smog.

All the processes which imply it COV. One of the principal transmitters is the oil refining. The solvents are also a producer of COV.

The COV are also one of the causes of interior pollution, that’s mean of the buildings interior air, housing structures, places public and places of work. The sources are then generally paintings, adhesives and pesticide of wood for example...