VDI 4301 Blatt 7:2017-04

Carboxylic acids are relevant for human health since already small concentrations of carboxylic acids can cause headaches. For this reason they are listed as priority by the German Federal Environment Agency Committee for permissible values for indoor air quality. In addition, carboxylic acids can cause corrosion damage on church pipe organs or museum exhibits. The analytical determination is problematic due to the high polarity and the ubiquitous distribution in the interior (silicone seals, hardwood products (oak furniture, tropical wood parquet), emissions from house furnaces, etc.). The standard describes the sampling and analysis of carboxylic acids (C1-C8) in indoor air and in material samples.