Investigation on air quality of specific indoor environments—spa salons located in Gdynia, Poland

Abstract

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.

Effects of 222 nm Germicidal Ultraviolet Light on Aerosol and VOC Formation from Limonene

“…Here, ∼20 ppb ozone (average concentrations across many indoor spaces without GUV are between 4 and 6 ppb, and range between 1 and 31 ppb) was produced in two steps of 30 min with 15 min in between . Liquid precursor (limonene or hexanal) was then evaporated into the chamber using a glass bulb under nitrogen flow to produce a ∼20 ppb concentration (typical indoor spaces have concentrations of limonene between 4 and 12 ppb). , An experiment using α-pinene as the precursor was also performed for comparison to the results of the limonene experiments. However, these results are not analyzed in further detail.…”

“… 34 Liquid precursor (limonene or hexanal) was then evaporated into the chamber using a glass bulb under nitrogen flow to produce a ∼20 ppb concentration (typical indoor spaces have concentrations of limonene between 4 and 12 ppb). 35 , 36 An experiment using α-pinene as the precursor was also performed for comparison to the results of the limonene experiments. However, these results are not analyzed in further detail.…”

The impact of plug-in fragrance diffusers on residential indoor VOC concentrations

“…21 The relationships between amount/frequency of chemical product use and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations found indoors are complex, with literature results varying between no relationships seen, to signicant correlation between the two variables. 5,22,23 This is likely inuenced by factors such as testing conditions, locations and sampling methods as well as being impacted by a lack of common methodology and speciation. Intuition would suggest that using VOC-containing products such as cleaning products or personal care products should increase VOC concentrations within the room the product was used in.…”