Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds are critical to atmospheric processes on both global and local scales.

On a global scale : Once released into the environment, Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds  undergo complex radical- and photo-mediated reactions. Although these reaction pathways are not yet fully understood, they are vital for understanding the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) and cloud and ice condensation nuclei—key factors influencing the global heat balance and climate systems.

On a local scale: Individuals spend approximately 95% of their time indoors, where they are exposed to a complex mixture of largely unidentified Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. In response to global efforts to reduce energy consumption, many countries have prioritized minimizing energy losses in households by emphasizing insulation and air-tightness in newly constructed buildings. However, the presence of multiple indoor emission sources poses a risk of increased and potentially hazardous concentrations of (emerging) pollutants.

The pursuit of a fundamental understanding of the fate, behavior, and role of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds , as well as the underlying molecular processes, presents significant analytical challenges. These challenges arise from the need to obtain a comprehensive chemical fingerprint, encompassing the number, identity, and concentration levels of (S)VOCs present in air. The complexity is enlarged by the large number of known and unknown compounds and the vast concentration differences among them (up to six orders of magnitude). Therefore, the development of analytical methods is an indispensable multi-step process that requires meticulous sampling, sample preparation, and the use of advanced instrumental mass spectrometry based techniques.