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Due to excessive application of essential oils and scented products in spa salons during aromatherapy and massage sessions, the elevated concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), particularly terpenes, which are known as secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors, is expected there. This study was aimed at determination of VOCs with a particular regard to terpenes in air samples collected in selected spa salons located in Northern Poland. Active air sampling was conducted before and after treatments. Samples were analyzed with the use of thermal desorption gas chromatography coupled with flame-ionization detector (TD-GC-FID) and mass spectrometer (TD-GC-MS). Obtained results allowed to characterize chemical composition of indoor air of spa salons and also to relate the dependence between applied essential oil and indoor air chemical composition. It has been proved that (i) spa salons are characterized by TVOC concentrations exceeding recommended values of 300–400 μg m−3 in most of examined cases, reaching up to several thousand of micrograms per cubic meter, (ii) TVOC concentration is strictly related to salon characteristics and carried out treatments, (iii) terpenes constitute a significant part of TVOCs present in spa indoor air, from 22 up to 86%, (iv) most commonly investigated terpenes in the literature (d-limonene, α-pinene, camphene, and linalool) were also determined at the highest concentration levels in this study and (v) VOC chemical composition is strictly dependent on the type of applied essential oils. On the basis of obtained results, it may be stated that extensive application of essential oils rich in terpenes can significantly alter indoor air chemistry of spa salons, thereby influencing health and well-being of employees working there.

Terpenes are VOCs of particular importance, since they are emitted from a wide range of indoor sources and are considered to be precursors of Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) formation. It has been proven that SOA particles, especially nanosized ones, pose a threat to human health. In this research, experiments with the application of an environmental chamber and real-time measurement techniques were carried out to investigate in a complimentary way the formation of monoterpene oxidation products and nanosized SOA particles initiated by monoterpene ozonolysis. Proton-Transfer-Reaction Mass Spectrometry with a Time-Of-Flight analyzer (PTR-TOF-MS) and a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) were applied to determine in real time the dynamism of the formation of the corresponding terpene ozonolysis products and submicron SOA particles. Results proved that firstly, oxidation products were formed, and then, they underwent nucleation and condensation, forming particles whose diameters grew with time. The oxidation products formed were different depending on the type of terpenes applied. The comparison of the results obtained during the experiments with gaseous standard mixtures and real samples commonly present and used in indoor air revealed that the diversified chemical composition of the emission source had implications for both the particle formation initiated by the oxidation of essential oil components and the chemical reactions occurring via the oxidation process. With the instrumentation utilized, the concentration changes at the level of a few ppbv could be monitored.

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