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Detection of volatile organic compounds indicative of human presence in the air
Author(s) -
Kwak Jae,
Geier Brian A.,
Fan Maomian,
Gogate Sanjay A.,
Rinehardt Sage A.,
Watts Brandy S.,
Grigsby Claude C.,
Ott Darrin K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of separation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.72
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1615-9314
pISSN - 1615-9306
DOI - 10.1002/jssc.201570141
Subject(s) - isoprene , volatile organic compound , environmental chemistry , chemistry , air monitoring , indoor air , exhaled air , human health , environmental science , organic chemistry , toxicology , environmental engineering , biology , medicine , environmental health , copolymer , polymer
J. Sep. Sci. 2015, 38, 2463‐2469. DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201500261 This cover picture illustrates the release of isoprene by individual human beings in the air. Volatile organic compounds were collected and analyzed from a variety of indoor and outdoor air samples to test whether human‐derived compounds can be readily detected in the air and if they can be associated with human occupancy or presence. Isoprene, a major volatile organic compound in exhaled breath, was shown to be the best indicator of human presence. In addition, numerous compounds that are found in foods and consumer products were detected at elevated levels in the occupied areas. Our results revealed that isoprene and many exogenous volatile organic compounds consumed by humans are emitted at levels sufficient for detection in the air, suggesting that monitoring these compounds could be used for detecting human presence.