An acute taste and odour episode solved by olfactory GC-MS.
This paper details the analytical strategy that was used to understand the origin of an acute taste and odour episode that induced the temporary shutdown of a plant serving several million customers in South America. The odour of the drinking water was described by local people as "olive odour". The odour of a first sample was described as green apple, fruity and olive oil by CIRSEE panellists. LLE and CLSA-GC/MS showed that the sample contained high levels of 2,4-ditertbutylphenol. When submitted to olfactory-GC/MS, the LLE extract revealed the presence of an intense sweet-fruity odour that did not match any of the MS peaks. Investigation of a second, more concentrated sample collected during the peak of the episode finally revealed that this main odour was due to 2-ethyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane (2EDD). The cis and trans isomers of 2-ethyl-4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (2EMD) were also identified, together with a variety of plastic additives or oligomers. These compounds had been spilled by a polyester resin manufacturing plant. The characteristics of these episodes are compared with the rare similar episodes previously reported in the literature.
Bruchet
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CIRSEE-Suez Environnement, 38, Rue du President Wilson, 78 230 Le Pecq, France. auguste.bruchet@suez-env.com
Hochereau
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Campos
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D004148:Dioxolanes / Q000737:chemistry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D007221:Industry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013020:South America; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply
D004148:Dioxolanes; D011091:Polyesters; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; C101209:2-ethyl-4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane