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Emissions of air pollutants from scented candles burning in a test chamber
Abstract Burning of scented candles in indoor environment can release a large number of toxic chemicals. However, in spite of the large market penetration of scented candles, very few works investigated their organic pollutants emissions. This paper investigates volatile organic compounds emissions, with particular reference to the priority indoor pollutants identified by the European Commission, from the burning of scented candles in a laboratory-scale test chamber. It has been found that BTEX and PAHs emission factors show large differences among different candles, possibly due to the raw paraffinic material used, while aldehydes emission factors seem more related to the presence of additives. This clearly evidences the need for simple and cheap methodologies to measure the emission factors of commercial candles in order to foresee the expected pollutant concentration in a given indoor environment and compare it with health safety standards.
Highlights ► Emissions from scented candles burning was experimentally investigated. ► Main pollutants that were detected are BTEX, aldehydes and PAHs. ► A test chamber was designed to perform measurements in an standardized environment. ► Emission factors were calculated for each pollutant detected. ► Obtained emission factors can be used to study health hazard in indoor environments.
Emissions of air pollutants from scented candles burning in a test chamber
Abstract Burning of scented candles in indoor environment can release a large number of toxic chemicals. However, in spite of the large market penetration of scented candles, very few works investigated their organic pollutants emissions. This paper investigates volatile organic compounds emissions, with particular reference to the priority indoor pollutants identified by the European Commission, from the burning of scented candles in a laboratory-scale test chamber. It has been found that BTEX and PAHs emission factors show large differences among different candles, possibly due to the raw paraffinic material used, while aldehydes emission factors seem more related to the presence of additives. This clearly evidences the need for simple and cheap methodologies to measure the emission factors of commercial candles in order to foresee the expected pollutant concentration in a given indoor environment and compare it with health safety standards.
Highlights ► Emissions from scented candles burning was experimentally investigated. ► Main pollutants that were detected are BTEX, aldehydes and PAHs. ► A test chamber was designed to perform measurements in an standardized environment. ► Emission factors were calculated for each pollutant detected. ► Obtained emission factors can be used to study health hazard in indoor environments.
Emissions of air pollutants from scented candles burning in a test chamber
Derudi, Marco (author) / Gelosa, Simone (author) / Sliepcevich, Andrea (author) / Cattaneo, Andrea (author) / Rota, Renato (author) / Cavallo, Domenico (author) / Nano, Giuseppe (author)
Atmospheric Environment ; 55 ; 257-262
2012-03-09
6 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English