Open AccessVolatile Organic Compounds Emitted from Air Fresheners
Author(s) -
Adriana Pino-Delgado,
Danielle Vado,
Dajon McLeese,
Shizuka Hsieh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of student research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2167-1907
DOI - 10.47611/jsr.v10i2.1236
Subject(s) - air pollutants , environmental science , environmental chemistry , waste management , air pollution , chemistry , engineering , organic chemistry
Air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are possible hazardous air pollutants, carcinogens, or chemicals associated with adverse health effects such as asthma. This screening study identifies VOCs emitted from two types of air fresheners. Plug-in air fresheners are household products that release scents from a heated liquid. Little Tree air fresheners are commonly-used solid devices designed to hang in from the rear view mirror in cars. VOCs that were released from heated samples of air fresheners were identified by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS). In a pilot study to characterize how air fresheners affect air quality in real settings, air samples were collected on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) field samplers in a home setting and inside a vehicle, before and during air-freshener use. This pilot demonstrated the potential for SPME field samplers to track changes in VOC levels in real-life settings.