Investigation of volatile organic compounds and phthalates present in the cabin air of used private cars.
The presence of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including aromatic, aliphatic compounds and low molecular weight carbonyls, and a target set of phthalates were investigated in the interior of 23 used private cars during the summer and winter. VOC concentrations often exceeded levels typically found in residential indoor air, e.g. benzene concentrations reached values of up to 149.1 microg m(-3). Overall concentrations were 40% higher in summer, with temperatures inside the cars reaching up to 70 degrees C. The most frequently detected phthalates were di-n-butyl-phthalate and bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in concentrations ranging from 196 to 3656 ng m(-3).
Geiss
Otmar
O
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, 21027 Ispra (Va), Italy. otmar.geiss@jrc.ec.europa.eu
Tirendi
Salvatore
S
Barrero-Moreno
Josefa
J
Kotzias
Dimitrios
D
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D001336:Automobiles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D010968:Plasticizers; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate; C032279:phthalic acid; D001554:Benzene