title: Origin of 2-ethylhexanol as a VOC.
abstract: 2-Ethylhexanol has been identified as a volatile organic compound (VOC) that contributes to the deterioration of indoor air quality. Plasticizers are common components of dust and building materials and are shown to be degraded by a variety of bacteria and fungi to produce 2-ethylhexanol and other metabolites. Of these, the 2-ethylhexanol has significant volatility and was observed in appreciable quantities. The degree to which 2-ethylhexanol is observed as a VOC in air samples would be limited by the fact that many of the microorganisms that are capable of producing this compound are also able to oxidize it to 2-ethylhexanoic acid, which is much less volatile. It is argued that an abiotic degradation mechanism of plasticizers that results in the generation of 2-ethylhexanol is unlikely and, if this did occur, other metabolites should have been observed. Thus, the microbial degradation of plasticizers is the most likely source of 2-ethylhexanol in indoor air.
authors.affiliation: McGill University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3610 University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 2B2.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nalli
authors.forename: Owen J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: Adam R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Grochowalski
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Jim A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nicell
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D000441:Hexanols / Q000378:metabolism*; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000441:Hexanols; D010968:Plasticizers; C034017:2-ethylhexanol