Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Laboratory

Background

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted by many different processes (e.g., vehicle, industrial, solvent, plants). The presence of some VOC gases can significantly increase the secondary formation of ozone and particulate matter even at very low concentrations (i.e., pptv). Some VOC species (i.e., CFCs, HCFCs) are referred to as Green House Gas (GHG) and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) due to their important global environmental threats (i.e., climate change, stratospheric ozone loss). VOC control regulations have been implemented by governments to solve the challenges of air quality and climate. However, their diverse sources and highly reactive nature make them a challenge in control policy.

Located at Room 2210 of the Laboratory Building, our laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge instruments (i.e., GC-FID/ECD/MSD, HPLC-MS/MS) for ambient and source characterization of VOCs and to serve as a benchmarking lab to support the air quality monitoring network in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The laboratory is operated with the world premier standards of protocols for sampling, analysis and quality assurance. The laboratory is also equipped with state-of-the-art online measurement instruments (such as PTR-TOF-MS) that enable real-time detection and quantitation of various VOCs in different samples in a complex matrix at trace level. The results are unitized to identify the sources and chemical pathways, implement the air quality model, identify control strategy, and support the implementation of government policy.

The VOC laboratory will contribute to society as an intellectual center on scientific research, technical innovation, and policy consultation in the field of air quality, climate change, and sustainability in Hong Kong, the GBA, and the greater China region.

Contacts

Prof. Dasa GU
Email: dasagu@ust.hk
Tel: 2358 8789

Miss Tracy LEUNG
Email:envrtracy@ust.hk
Tel: 2358 6933/3469 2208