Determinations of Potential VOCs in Personal Care Products (PCPs) with Solid-phase Microextraction and GC/MS-MS

Abstract No:

1173 

Abstract Type:

Professional Poster 

Authors:

C Liu1

Institutions:

1National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

Presenter:

Ching-Ting Liu  
National Taiwan University

Description:

Personal care products (PCPs), (e.g., personal cleaners, deodorizers, lotions, cosmetics, etc.), are used in our everyday life. The applications of PCPs raise health concerns, including the emissions of various volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) into the environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemicals inside PCPs in Taiwan for future assessment of associated health risks. This study performed a novel approach by measuring 13 VOCs in different PCPs using the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS-MS).

Situation / Problem:

Fragrance chemical ingredients frequently used in PCPs, (e.g., terpenes, synthetic musk, fragrance allergens), are well-known potential health hazards. Studies have found that VOCs (e.g., cyclic siloxanes, n-butyl acetate, heptanal, 3-phenyl-propenal) in PCPs could become indoor pollutants. The information regarding their distributions in PCPs is still limited. Studies have shown that the exposures of these compounds can cause headache, irritation and even asthma. Besides fragrances, there are other ingredients in PCPs with potential health risk, (e.g., cyclic siloxanes (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopenta-siloxane (D5) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)). Cyclic siloxanes are lipophilic and stable compounds, which means they can stay indoors for a long time. They are bioaccumulative and able to cause endocrine effects. Previous studies also show other VOCs in PCPs can be important indoor pollutants, (e.g., n-butyl acetate, heptanal and 3-phenyl-propenal), which can cause irritation, influence indoor air quality and become potential hazards.

Methods:

The study focused on 13 VOCs inside PCPs, (e.g., cyclic siloxanes, n-butyl acetate, heptanal, 3-phenyl-propenal, etc.). The technique of headspace SPME was performed to validate the feasibility of measuring these VOCs. The parameters of extraction/absorption time and temperature of SPME extraction were also evaluated. Common commercial PCPs in Taiwan, including self-cleaning products, lotions, household products, were collected and analyzed with SPME and GC/MS-MS.

Results / Conclusions:

The methods quantifying VOCs in PCPs were optimized in this study. 50/30 µm divinylbenzene/carboxen on polydimethylsiloxane was selected as the ideal SPME fiber for detecting cyclic siloxanes. The extraction condition was 20 minutes at 25°C, and the desorption is at 240°C in 2 minutes. The linear range of quantification of cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5 and D6) is 5 ng mL-1 to 5 ug mL-1. The SPME procedure had advantages over conventional methods, (e.g., solvent free and time saving). The sensitivities of the method for different compounds were low enough to determine the concentrations from personal care products.

Primary Topic:

Sampling and Analysis

Secondary Topics:

Indoor Environmental Quality/Indoor Air Quality

Co-Authors

Please add your co-authors below. Co-authors are listed for professional courtesy and will not be communicated with regarding the decision notification or any on-site logistics, if accepted. Only the primary presenter listed is expected to attend and present the content on-site.

Shih-wei Tsai, Ph.D., CIH

Acknowledgements and References

List any additional people who worked on the project or provided guidance and support along with details on the role they played in the research. (Please include first name, last name, organization, city, state and country).

1. Steinemann, A., Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions. Air Qual Atmos Health, 2016. 9(8): p. 861-866.
2. Hoang, T., et al., VOC exposures in California early childhood education environments. Indoor Air, 2017. 27(3): p. 609-621.

Practical Application

How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?

This study aimed to determine these chemicals inside PCPs in Taiwan for future assessment of associated health risks. The novel approach used in the study can quantify low concentration to about 5 ng mL-1, which means it could more accurately determine the distribution of these potential VOCs. Furthermore, future assessment can provide some information for the government to establish regulations. For example, according the results of assessment, the government can set a limitation or ban some chemicals.

Learning Level

What learning level is the presentation content geared towards?

Novice - new to the job, role, or task, with no or limited knowledge of the content.