Gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS) coupled with solid phase micro-extraction as pre-concentration method (SPME) was applied to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by human skin. A total of 64 C4-C10 compounds were quantified in skin emanation of 31 healthy volunteers. Amongst them aldehydes and hydrocarbons were the predominant chemical families with eighteen and seventeen species, respectively. Apart from these, there were eight ketones, six heterocyclic compounds, six terpenes, four esters, two alcohols, two volatile sulphur compounds, and one nitrile. The observed median emission rates ranged from 0.55 to 4,790 fmol cm(-2)min(-1). Within this set of analytes three volatiles; acetone, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, and acetaldehyde exhibited especially high emission rates exceeding 100 fmol cm(-2)min(-1). Thirty-three volatiles were highly present in skin emanation with incidence rates over 80%. These species can be considered as potential markers of human presence, which could be used for early location of entrapped victims during Urban Search and Rescue Operations (USaR).
Gruppo in fibra SPME divinilbenzene/carbossene/polidimetilsilossano (DVB/CAR/PDMS), matrix active group 50/30µm DVB/CAR/PDMS, needle size 24 ga, StableFlex fiber, for use with autosampler, fiber L 2 cm, pk of 3
Gruppo in fibra SPME divinilbenzene/carbossene/polidimetilsilossano (DVB/CAR/PDMS), matrix active group 50/30µm DVB/CAR/PDMS, StableFlex fiber, manual holder, needle size 24 ga
Gruppo in fibra SPME divinilbenzene/carbossene/polidimetilsilossano (DVB/CAR/PDMS), matrix active group 50/30µm DVB/CAR/PDMS, needle size 24 ga, StableFlex, for use with autosampler, fiber L 1 cm, pk of 3
Gruppo in fibra SPME divinilbenzene/carbossene/polidimetilsilossano (DVB/CAR/PDMS), for use with autosampler, matrix active group 50/30µm DVB/CAR/PDMS, needle size 23 ga, metal alloy fiber, fiber L 2 cm