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Airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds in neonatal incubators

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 534–540 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To identify and quantify airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inside neonatal incubators during various modes of operation within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment.

Study Design:

Air samples were taken from 10 unoccupied incubators in four operational settings along with ambient air samples using air sampling canisters. The samples were analyzed following EPA TO-15 using a Tekmar AutoCan interfaced to Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatograph with a 5973 Mass Spectrometer calibrated for 60 EPA TO-15 method target compounds. Non-target compounds were tentatively identified using mass spectral interpretation and with a mass spectral library created by National Institute for Standards and Technology.

Result:

Two non-target compounds, 2-heptanone and n-butyl acetate, were found at elevated concentrations inside the incubators compared with ambient room air samples. Increase in temperature and addition of humidity produced further increased concentrations of these compounds. Their identities were verified by mass spectra and relative retention times using authentic standards. They were quantified using vinyl acetate and 2-hexanone as surrogate standards.

Conclusion:

The emission pattern of these two compounds and background measurements indicate that they originate inside the incubator. There is evidence that exposure to some VOCs may adversely impact the fetal and developing infants’ health. Currently, as there is no definitive information available on the effects of acute or chronic low-level exposure to these compounds in neonates, future studies evaluating the health effects of neonatal exposure to these VOCs are needed.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Advocate Lutheran General Health Partners Endowment.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA

    P Prazad & B L Puppala

  2. STAT Analysis Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA

    D R Cortes & S Kumar

  3. Advocate Medical Group, Park Ridge, IL, USA

    B L Puppala

  4. Division of Research, Department of Pediatrics, Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA

    R Donovan

  5. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chicago College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA

    A Gulati

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  1. P Prazad
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  2. D R Cortes
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  5. S Kumar
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  6. A Gulati
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Correspondence to A Gulati.

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The authors state no conflict of interest.

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Prazad, P., Cortes, D., Puppala, B. et al. Airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds in neonatal incubators. J Perinatol 28, 534–540 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.75

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