Photochemical ozone creation potential
The Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP) scale quantifies the relative abilities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to produce ground level ozone.
Ozone can be formed when chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOX ) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), also known as Hydrocarbons are caused either near the ground or in the atmosphere by heat and sunlight.
POCP is an environmental impact indicator of EN 15804:2012+A2:2019/AC:2021, which is used as guidance in the generation of the lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodology used to create product environmental footprints (PEF). It is also one of the environmental performance indicators for the calculation, assessment and generation of environmental product declarations (EPDs).
In the same way that the global warming potential (GWP) of different pollutants are converted to ratios CO2 equivalent figures, POCP values are usually calculated to a non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) equivalent figure, using atmospheric boundary layer models containing detailed representations of atmospheric VOC degradation chemistry.
Examples, unspecified emissions to air, unspecified location:
- 1 kg nitrogen oxides = 1 kg NMVOC eq.
- 1 kg carbon monoxide (fossil) = 0.0456 kg NMVOC eq.
- 1 kg acetic acid = 0.164 kg NMVOC eq.
(refs, LOTOS-EUROS as applied in ReCiPe, EN 15804. Version: August 2021, Van Zelm et al. 2008, ReCiPe 2008)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Celebrating architecture's eloquent champions.
Unusual perspectives on 1960s’ thinking.
AI and the challenges to intellectual property
The legal landscape of adopting AI now and in the future.
Worrying landscape for Welsh construction SMEs revealed.
In recent risk factor analysis report completed by CIOB.
Construction Sport survey highlights risks of dehydration
Supporting construction workers to avoid dangers.
Can your business afford to ignore mental well-being?
£70 - 100 billion annually in UK construction sector.
Mental health in the construction industry
World Mental Health Day 10 October.
Construction awards provide relief in wake of ISG collapse
Spike in major infrastructure awards, housing up but short of targets, are ISG collapse impacts yet to come.
Biodiversity net gain with related updates and terms
Only 0.5% of applications subject to BNG in the context significant proposed changes to planning.
As political power has shifted from blue to red
Has planning now moved from brown to green?
The role of construction in tackling the biodiversity crisis
New CIOB Nature of Building digital series available now.
The Nature Towns and Cities initiative
Grants of up to 1 million for local councils and partners.
The continued ISG fall out October updates
Where to look for answers to frequently asked questions.
Building safety remediation programme for Wales
With 2024 October progress updates.
In major support package for small businesses.
Conservation and transformation
Reading Ruskin’s cultural heritage. Book review.