Measurements of volatile organic compounds in aircraft cabins. Part II: Target list, concentration levels and possible influencing factors

Guan, Jun; Chao, Wang; Gao, Kai; Yang, Xudong; Lin, Chao–Hsin; Lu, Caiyun

doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.01.023

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Figure 1 VOCs measured on non-smoking aircraft in 12 studies classified by chemical functional group 54,[70][71][72]75,76,78,81,82,[84][85][86] . 39 TWA 8h 1782 39 15min exposure Health 1188 39 TWA 8h 240 39 -Comfort Table 6 shows a list of compounds that were measured in two or more studies, with the highest concentration, with the lowest ODTs.…”

Section: Reported It Asmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cabin air quality on non‐smoking commercial flights: A review of published data on airborne pollutants

et al. 2021

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We reviewed 47 documents published 1967-2019 that reported measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on commercial aircraft. We compared the measurements with the air quality standards and guidelines for aircraft cabins and in some cases buildings. Average levels of VOCs for which limits exist were lower than the permissible levels except for benzene with average concentration at 5.9±5.5 μg/m 3 . Toluene, benzene, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, limonene, nonanal, hexanal, decanal, octanal, acetic acid, acetone, ethanol, butanal, acrolein, isoprene and menthol were the most frequently appearing compounds. The concentrations of SVOCs (Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds) and other contaminants did not exceed standards and guidelines in buildings except for the average NO2 concentration at 12 ppb. Although the focus was on VOCs, we also retrieved the data on other parameters characterizing cabin environment. Ozone concentration averaged 38±30 ppb below the upper limit recommended for aircraft. The outdoor air supply rate ranged from 1.7 to 39.5 L/s per person and averaged 6.0±0.8 L/s/p (median 5.8 L/s/p), higher than the minimum level recommended for commercial aircraft. Carbon dioxide concentration averaged 1,315±232 ppm, lower than what is permitted in aircraft and close to what is permitted in buildings. Measured temperatures averaged 23.5±0.8°C and were generally within the ranges recommended for avoiding thermal discomfort. Relative humidity averaged 16%±5%, lower than what is recommended in buildings.

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Section: Reported It Asmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cabin air quality on non‐smoking commercial flights: A review of published data on airborne pollutants

et al. 2021

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“…To assure the quality of measurements, the following measures were taken: The sampling pump was calibrated using a soap-film flow meter (GL-100, Zhongkezhonghuan, Inc., Beijing, China) before each measurement; all Tenax TA tubes were cleaned at least three times before every sampling; a blank Tenax TA tube was taken for field blank analysis during each in-flight measurement; the background level of blank tube was excluded from detection limit of GC/MS system, and the limit of detection was about 1 ng for each compound (signal-to-noise ratio S/N ¼ 3/1) [12,22,23]. The measured concentrations of PM, O 3 and ROGs are listed in Tables 2 and 3.…”

Section: Soa Generation Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of the contribution of secondary organic aerosol to PM2.0 concentration in aircraft cabins

Zhao

2014

Building and Environment

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“…Numerous organic compounds have been identified or are expected to be present in the passenger cabins of commercial aircraft. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] These include compounds emitted directly from products used on aircraft for cleaning, offgassing of materials within the aircraft, infiltration of chemicals from the outdoor air (eg, kerosene fumes, deicing fluid, jet and diesel exhaust while on the ground), ozone at elevated altitudes, and bioeffluents from passengers. Ozone that penetrates into the aircraft cabin reacts with unsaturated hydrocarbons present on the skin of people and on surfaces producing by-products that can be irritating.…”

Section: Background and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human symptom responses to bioeffluents, short-chain carbonyls/acids, and long-chain carbonyls in a simulated aircraft cabin environment

et al. 2017

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Occupants of aircraft have reported an array of symptoms related to general discomfort and irritation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been suggested to contribute to the reported symptoms. VOCs are from products used, bioeffluents from people and ozone reaction products. Thirty-six healthy, young female subjects rated symptoms and environmental quality during an 8-hour exposure to groups of compounds often present in aircraft: 1) long chain carbonyls, 2) simulated bioeffluents, and 3) short chain carbonyls/organic acids. Statistically more symptoms were identified for the simulated bioeffluents and, to a lesser extent, short chain carbonyls/organic acids compared to a control condition, though they remained in the acceptable range. There were three temporal patterns in the environmental quality and symptom reports: 1) an adaptive response (immediate increases followed by a decline); 2) an apparent physiological effect (increases one to three hours into the exposure that remained elevated) or 3) no statistical differences in reported environmental quality or symptom severity compared to the control air conditions. Typical concentrations found in aircraft can cause transitory symptoms in healthy individuals questioning the adequacy of current standards. Effects on individuals sensitive to air pollutants and methods to remove the compounds causing the greatest symptom responses are needed.

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Measurements of volatile organic compounds in aircraft cabins. Part II: Target list, concentration levels and possible influencing factors

Cited by 29 publications

References 5 publications

Cabin air quality on non‐smoking commercial flights: A review of published data on airborne pollutants

Cabin air quality on non‐smoking commercial flights: A review of published data on airborne pollutants

Estimation of the contribution of secondary organic aerosol to PM2.0 concentration in aircraft cabins

Human symptom responses to bioeffluents, short-chain carbonyls/acids, and long-chain carbonyls in a simulated aircraft cabin environment

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