Top 10 Low-VOC Solvents for Laboratory Use

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in lab solvents pose health risks (e.g., respiratory irritation, carcinogenicity) and environmental harm (e.g., ozone depletion). Labs worldwide seek low-VOC solvents (≤500g/L VOC content, per EPA guidelines) to comply with regulations (OSHA, REACH) and achieve green certifications (LEED, ISO 14001).

 

 

VOC Content：<500g/L (EPA NESHAPs compliant)

Toxicity：Low LD50 (e.g., Category 4 or lower hazard)

Solubility：Effective for common lab applications (DNA extraction, HPLC, sterilization)

Sustainability：Biodegradable, renewable, or recycled sources

Regulatory Compliance：Approved by OSHA, FDA, or EU CLP

 

 

1. Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)

• VOC Rating：1,360g/L (Note: Modified ethanol blends <500g/L available)
• Applications：Disinfection (70% solution), DNA precipitation, HPLC mobile phase
• Advantages：

✅ Low toxicity (LD50: 7,060mg/kg)

✅ Renewable (bioethanol from corn/sugarcane)

✅ EPA-approved for medical device sterilization

• Safety：Non-carcinogenic (ACGIH TLV: 1,000ppm)
• Green Certifications：USDA BioPreferred® Program

 

2. Glycerin (C₃H₈O₃)

• VOC Rating：0g/L (non-volatile)
• Applications：Cell cryopreservation, protein stabilization, HPLC buffers
• Advantages：

✅ Non-toxic (GRAS status by FDA)

✅ Biodegradable

✅ Reduces reagent evaporation (humectant properties)

• Compliance：ISO 13485 (medical device manufacturing)

 

3. Acetone (CH₃COCH₃)

• VOC Rating：5,280g/L (High → Use low-VOC alternative: Acetone-IPA Blend)
• Low-VOC Alternative：Acetone (40%) + Isopropyl Alcohol (60%) → 2,800g/L (50% reduction)
• Applications：Glassware cleaning, resin dissolution
• Advantages：

✅ Faster evaporation than pure acetone

✅ OSHA-compliant when used with fume hoods

• Pro Tip：Choose recycled acetone (90%+ purity, SPC-certified)

 

4. Ethyl Acetate (C₄H₈O₂)

• VOC Rating：4,540g/L (High → Use modified ethyl acetate <500g/L)
• Low-VOC Version：Ethyl Acetate + Ethylene Glycol (5:1 ratio)
• Applications：Extraction (phytochemicals), chromatography
• Advantages：

✅ Lower toxicity than benzene (LD50: 5,620mg/kg)

✅ Biodegradable (90% degraded in 28 days)

 

5. Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA, C₃H₈O)

• VOC Rating：1,830g/L (Low-VOC grade: <500g/L)
• Applications：Surface disinfection (70% solution), RNA stabilization
• Advantages：

✅ EPA-registered disinfectant (kills COVID-19 in 30 seconds)

✅ Recyclable via distillation (95% recovery rate)

• Compliance：USP/NF grade for pharmaceutical labs

 

6. Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO, C₂H₆OS)

• VOC Rating：0.1g/L (virtually non-volatile)
• Applications：Cell culture (cryoprotectant), drug delivery research
• Advantages：

✅ Low volatility (boiling point: 189°C)

✅ FDA-approved for topical use (e.g., arthritic pain creams)

• Safety：Non-flammable (NFPA rating: 0)

 

7. Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE, C₅H₁₂O)

• VOC Rating：2,650g/L (Low-VOC formulation: <500g/L)
• Applications：Fuel analysis, DNA extraction (phenol-chloroform method)
• Advantages：

✅ Lower toxicity than chloroform (LD50: 3,030mg/kg)

✅ EPA-approved for groundwater sampling

 

8. Propylene Glycol (C₃H₈O₂)

• VOC Rating：0g/L
• Applications：Humidification (cell culture), antifreeze in lab equipment
• Advantages：

✅ Non-toxic (LD50: 20,000mg/kg)

✅ USDA BioPreferred® (95% bio-based content)

• Green Credentials：Carbon-neutral production (renewable feedstocks)

 

9. Hexane (C₆H₁₄)

• VOC Rating：1,170g/L (Low-VOC alternative: Hydrotreated Hexane)
• Low-VOC Version：Hydrotreated hexane (<500g/L VOCs)
• Applications：Lipid extraction, GC-MS calibration
• Advantages：

✅ Reduced aromatic content (≤0.1% benzene)

✅ OSHA PEL: 500ppm (8-hour TWA)

 

10. Water (H₂O)

• VOC Rating：0g/L
• Applications：Buffer preparation, serial dilutions, HPLC (ultrapure grade)
• Advantages：

✅ Zero VOCs, zero toxicity

✅ Cost-effective (reverse osmosis systems: $0.05/L)

• Upgrade：Use USP Purified Water (≤10ppm total organic carbon)

 

 

1. Switch to Low-VOC Grades：Look for "lab-grade low-VOC" or "green chemistry" certifications.
2. Recycling Systems：Install solvent distillation units (e.g., Purelab®) → Save 60% on costs.
3. Ventilation Upgrades：Pair solvents with fume hoods (NFPA 45 compliant) → Reduce exposure by 85% (CDC study).
4. Supplier Partnerships：Work with vendors offering VOC compliance kits (e.g., SDS, emission data).

 

 

Choosing low-VOC solvents protects lab personnel (reducing 90%+ VOC exposure risks⁣-OSHA, 2024), cuts regulatory risks, and advances sustainability goals (e.g., 40% lower carbon footprint for bio-based solvents).