scholarly journals Small Polymeric Toys Placed in Child-Dedicated Chocolate Food Products—Do They Contain Harmful Chemicals? Examination of Quality by Example of Selected VOCs and SVOCs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Śmiełowska ◽  
Mariusz Marć ◽  
Bożena Zabiegała
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Hazard Quotient ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Plastic Package ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
The Many ◽  
Total Volatile Organic Compounds

AbstractThis study was focused on child-dedicated chocolate food products that contain a plastic package with a small toy inside (also known as chocolate eggs). Three types of these products that are commercially available on the Polish market, with different prices, chocolate composition, and main types of polymers used in the toy manufacturing process, were investigated. The polymers were identified using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis and emissions of selected toxic volatile organic compounds of toy and packaging samples were identified using stationary emission micro-chamber. Total volatile organic compounds emissions were also estimated. Moreover, the content of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as bioaccumulative semi-volatile organic compounds was checked in all parts of the cheapest product. The highest PBDE concentrations, which ranged from 5.32 ± 0.79 to 1768 ± 289 ng/g, were recorded in chocolate samples. This demonstrates the need for consumer knowledge on the safety of such products available on the Polish market to be broadened. This is one of the many examples of studies showing that products sold on the European market do not always comply with the Conformité Européenne (CE) declaration of conformity. Furthermore, the presence of phased-out PBDEs in toys may provide evidence of wrong recycling practices. Forward-looking considerations showed that, based on assessments of the hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk of BDE-209 and assuming each child has contact with one toy and eats one of the studied chocolate products per day, there is no high risk associated with the exposure of children to PBDEs.

Small polymeric toys placed in child-dedicated chocolate food products - do they contain harmful chemicals? Examination of quality by example of selected VOCs and SVOCs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Śmiełowska ◽  
Mariusz Marć ◽  
Bożena Zabiegała
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Hazard Quotient ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Plastic Package ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
The Many ◽  
Total Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract This study was focused on child-dedicated chocolate food products that contain a plastic package with a small toy inside (also known as chocolate eggs). Three types of these products that are commercially available on the Polish market, with different prices, chocolate composition, and main types of polymers used in the toy manufacturing process, were investigated. First, to fully characterise the studied polymer samples, the main types of material in the studied toys and their packaging were identified using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. Next, the emissions of selected toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of toy and packaging samples were identified using stationary emission micro-chamber. Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) emissions were also estimated. Moreover, the content of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as bioaccumulative semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) was checked in all parts of the cheapest product. The highest PBDE concentrations, which ranged from 5.32±0.79 to 1768±289 ng/g, were recorded in chocolate samples. This demonstrates the need for consumer knowledge on the safety of such products available on the Polish market to be broadened. This is one of the many examples of studies showing that products sold on the European market do not always comply with the CE declaration of conformity. Furthermore, the presence of phased-out PBDEs in toys may provide evidence of wrong recycling practices. Forward-looking considerations showed that, based on assessments of the hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk of BDE-209 (CRBDE-209) and assuming each child has contact with one toy and eats one of the studied chocolate products per day, there is no high risk associated with the exposure of children to PBDEs.

scholarly journals Investigations of Museum Indoor Microclimate and Air Quality. Case Study from Romania

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 286
Author(s):  
Dorina Camelia Ilieș ◽  
Florin Marcu ◽  
Tudor Caciora ◽  
Liliana Indrie ◽  
Alexandru Ilieș ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Total Volatile ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Museum Exhibits ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Total Volatile Organic Compounds

Poor air quality inside museums is one of the main causes influencing the state of conservation of exhibits. Even if they are mostly placed in a controlled environment because of their construction materials, the exhibits can be very vulnerable to the influence of the internal microclimate. As a consequence, museum exhibits must be protected from potential negative effects. In order to prevent and stop the process of damage of the exhibits, monitoring the main parameters of the microclimate (especially temperature, humidity, and brightness) and keeping them in strict values is extremely important. The present study refers to the investigations and analysis of air quality inside a museum, located in a heritage building, from Romania. The paper focuses on monitoring and analysing temperature of air and walls, relative humidity (RH), CO2, brightness and particulate matters (PM), formaldehyde (HCHO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). The monitoring was carried out in the Summer–Autumn 2020 Campaign, in two different exhibition areas (first floor and basement) and the main warehouse where the exhibits are kept and restored. The analyses aimed both at highlighting the hazard induced by the poor air quality inside the museum that the exhibits face. The results show that this environment is potentially harmful to both exposed items and people. Therefore, the number of days in which the ideal conditions in terms of temperature and RH are met are quite few, the concentration of suspended particles, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds often exceed the limit allowed by the international standards in force. The results represent the basis for the development and implementation of strategies for long-term conservation of exhibits and to ensure a clean environment for employees, restorers, and visitors.

scholarly journals Pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Upper Respiratory Tract and Its Relation to Breath Volatile Organic Compounds

mSystems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moria Lichtenstein ◽  
Sondra Turjerman ◽  
Jayant M. Pinto ◽  
Orna Barash ◽  
Omry Koren
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Metabolic Processes ◽  
Volatile Metabolites ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
The Many

Among the many products of metabolic processes are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the airways, these volatile metabolites are emitted through breathing and thus are easily sampled for analysis.

scholarly journals Variability of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) in the Indoor Air of Retail Stores

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia ◽  
Cao ◽  
Valaulikar ◽  
Fu ◽  
Sorin
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Retail Stores ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Systematic Understanding ◽  
Total Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Comfort Parameters

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released to the indoor air of retail stores from numerous products and activities, but available literature lacks a systematic understanding of the variability of VOC concentrations. In this study, we measured concentrations of total VOCs (TVOC) in 32 retail stores using a high-sensitivity photoionization detector (PID). Indoor thermal comfort parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity, were simultaneously measured using an anemometer. The store-level TVOC concentrations ranged from 30 to 869 ppb and exceeded the LEED guideline in 31 stores. TVOC levels were notably high in hardware stores (median = 536 ppb, p = 0.0002) and paints, household, and home accessories sections within stores (p < 0.05). TVOC levels were elevated in mornings and evenings, possibly due to low ventilation and cleaning activities at the beginning and end of business hours. The between-store, within-store, and temporal variations accounted for 85%, 0.5%, and 14% of the total variance, respectively. The variance structure suggested that in-store VOC concentrations were predominantly driven by their source location, and representative monitoring should first consider covering various store types. Current store VOC levels present health concerns, but further studies are needed to evaluate risks among customers.

scholarly journals Passive Sampling Method for Total Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Takahiro ISHIZAKA ◽  
Ayato KAWASHIMA ◽  
Naoki HISHIDA ◽  
Noriaki HAMADA
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Passive Sampling ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Total Volatile ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Total Volatile Organic Compounds
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