Characterization of trace amounts of odorants (sulfur compounds, oxygenates, hydrocarbons, phenols and lower fatty acids) in air in an ICU room.
Characterization of trace amounts of odorants in air in an ICU room (ca.257m2) was carried out by gas chromatography and atmospheric pressure ionization-mass spectrometry (API-MS). The concentrations and odor recognition threshold values of the detected odorants, acetaldehyde, ethanol, n-butyric acid, iso-valeric acid and n-valeric acid are as follows: 44.7 ppb and 15 ppb; 19710 ppb and 6100 ppb; 0.50 ppb and 0.4 ppb; 0.45 ppb and 0.4 ppb; 0.67 ppb and 0.5 ppb, respectively. The detected concentrations of these odorants were significantly higher than the odor recognition threshold values. The compounds may, therefore, be responsible for perception of such odors as mixed odors, body odor, and faint or recognizable alcoholic odor, disinfectant odor, and sour, pungent, and goat odors.
Department of Hygiene, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
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Hoshika
D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis
D005227:Fatty Acids; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010636:Phenols; D013455:Sulfur