Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) formation due to interactions between ozone and skin-oiled clothing: Measurements by extraction-analysis-reaction method

The reaction between ozone and human skin lipids/skin-oiled clothing has been recognized as an important source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially aldehydes and ketones indoors. Existing research on this topic was mainly focused on VOC products measurement and factors influencing the reaction. Reactants were neglected in reaction analysis and quantity of reactants was not well controlled in comparative experiments. To overcome these disadvantages, a new method was proposed for investigation on reaction between ozone and skin-oiled clothing. The method included four procedures: extraction of skin-oiled clothing, analysis of the extracts, reaction between ozone and the extracts in environmental chamber, and analysis of relationship between VOC products and corresponding reactants. The profile of extracts from skin-oiled clothing, and ozone deposition velocity on clothing and molar yields of major VOC products in environmental chamber experiment agreed well with that of previous studies. Moreover, the possible primary precursors of four major VOC products, i.e. acetone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (6-MHO), nonanal and decanal, were inferred based on the profile of compounds from skin-oiled clothing and analysis of chemical structure. It indicated that the method proposed in this study can provide acceptable accuracy for studies about ozonation of skin-oiled clothing. This method is particularly appropriate when information of reactants or quantity control of reactants is required in reaction analysis and experiment.