Many studies have investigated the adsorption of VOCs to activated carbon-based materials. Typically, adsorption is studied by generating isotherms that show the amount of material adsorbed at equilibrium at constant temperature as a function of pressure. Various models have been developed for analyzing the data and extracting important parameters. While these fundamental studies of adsorption have contributed considerably to understanding the surface science of activated carbon, it is necessary to assess the efficiency of VOC removal in application-oriented studies, particularly in OR settings where the air is subject to heavy contamination and hence compromises the environment of care. In field settings, materials can influence the concentrations of VOCs in the air, causing initial reductions via adsorption followed by ultimate release which elevates VOC levels. Additionally, non-VOC gas-phase molecules such as water vapor can affect the efficiency of the process. For adsorption-based VOC reduction in an occupational setting, VOC generation in one region of a room must reach the adsorption media, which may not be located within the same localized region as the source. The VOC must reach the adsorption media via potentially highly variable airflow and diffusion patterns rather than controlled delivery in a closed system. Additionally, adventitious impurities can adsorb to any available surface and hence have the possibility to compromise material performance in a field setting. In order to accelerate adoption or spur the growth of new technologies, it is important to understand how well VOC levels can be reduced using currently available devices and adsorption media in settings that mimic functional environments. Understanding the utility of VOC adsorbing activated carbon in applied settings requires demonstrating that VOC levels in enclosed spaces can be reduced with activated carbon filters interfaced with devices that recirculate the air. FDA approved portable air filtration systems are currently in use in nosocomial settings and have been shown to effectively remove various contaminants. It is of interest to show that the decontamination abilities of these types of devices are extended to VOC removal in OR spaces. As noted above, OR environments generate many VOCs. Enhancing air quality for both patients and staff is a well-known area of improvement for healthcare environments. In order to facilitate the timely adoption of supplementary air decontaminating technologies in hospitals, it is necessary to show their performance properties. While many studies have established fundamental relationships between the interaction of activated carbon with various substances, they are typically performed at very low air flow values of the incoming gas and are not reminiscent of face velocities encountered in field settings. Experiments that interface activated carbon with air cleaning devices operating at relatively high air flow in occupational settings will elucidate the potential benefits of adoption or necessary improvements desired. Additionally, applied studies shed light on the rate of VOC reduction and porous media saturation for a given set of parameters. Combining activated carbon filtration with other air cleaning technologies in a single device has the added benefit of removing various types of contaminants without increasing the footprint.