title: Characterization and aging study of currency ink and currency canine training aids using headspace SPME/GC-MS.
abstract: Solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME/GC-MS) was used to characterize the volatile components associated with U.S. currency, U.S. currency inks, and Canadian currency. Compounds that can be attributed to the ink-curing process include series of straight-chain aldehydes, alkenals, acids, alcohols, and ketones and a series of lactones and 2-alkyl furans. Solvent compounds include naphthenic and paraffinic hydrocarbons with a profile typical of petroleum products, alkyl cyclohexanes, various ethylene glycol alkyl ethers, and traces of chlorinated solvents. Trace levels of 2-phenoxyethanol, a solvent often used in ink formulations, were also detected. Environmental contaminants, those compounds found in circulating currency but not in currency ink, include 2,2'-diethyl-1,1'-biphenyl, methyl benzoate and salicylate, menthol, limonene, dimethyl and diethyl phthalate, and ionol. Not including simple hydrocarbons, over 100 compounds were identified in the headspace of currency-related samples.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Customs Service, Research Laboratory, 7501 Boston Blvd., Suite 13, Springfield, VA 22153, USA.
authors.forename: Doan-Trang T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Vu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D007281:Ink; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D010209:Paper; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*