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Elia EA, Stylianou M, Agapiou A. Investigation on the source of VOCs emission from indoor construction materials using electronic sensors and TD-GC-MS. Environ Pollut 2024; 348:123765. [PMID: 38503351 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is critical to the health and wellbeing of people. As the majority of people spend greater amounts of time indoors, either in office spaces or households, the level of air pollutants in such environments is critical. Building materials and furniture are known sources of air pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and may be associated with discomfort, detrimental health of the occupants, etc. In this study, the VOCs found in a brand new office complex were monitored over a period of 6 months, with an emphasis on monitoring and quantifying harmful VOCs and identifying their emission source. Air samples were taken from a closed, unoccupied office space on a weekly basis and analysed using Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), while continuous monitoring of the air quality was performed using two commercially available IAQ sensors. To identify the source of the emitted VOCs, pieces of all construction material that were used in the office, including flooring, finished wall material, and adhesive glues, were removed, and placed in air-tight glass containers prior to analysis confirming that the source of VOCs is indeed the flooring. Identified compounds included mainly material origin VOCs such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) and styrene, but also common VOCs such as acetone and propan-2-ol. Of significant importance was the concentration of toluene that was found to be the most abundant VOC in both the flooring material and the indoor air.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Elia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus.
| | - M Stylianou
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 89, Nicosia, 2231, Cyprus.
| | - A Agapiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus.
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2
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Papaefstathiou E, Stylianou M, Andreou C, Agapiou A. Breath analysis of smokers, non-smokers, and e-cigarette users. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1160:122349. [PMID: 32920481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Solid phase micro extraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) analysis was performed in exhaled breath samples of 48 healthy volunteers: 20 non-smokers, 10 smokers and 18 e-cigarette (EC, vape) users. Each volunteer provided 1 L of exhaled breath in a pre-cleaned Tedlar bag, in which an SPME fiber was exposed to absorb the emitted breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The acquired data were processed using multivariate data analysis (MDA) methods in order to identify the characteristic chemicals of the three groups. The results revealed that the breath of non-smokers demonstrated inverse correlation with a variety of molecules related to the breath from smokers including furan, toluene, 2-butanone and other organic substances. Vapers were distinguished from smokers by the chemical speciation of the e-liquids, such as that of esters (e.g. ethyl acetate), terpenes (e.g. α-pinene, β-pinene, d-limonene, p-cymene, etc.) and oxygenated compounds (e.g. 3-hexen-1-ol, benzaldehyde, hexanal, decanal, etc). Two classification models were developed (a) using principal component analysis (PCA) with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and (b) using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Both models were validated using 8 new samples (4 vapers and 4 smokers), collected in addition to the 48 samples of the calibration set. The combination of GC/MS breath analysis and MDA contributed successfully in classifying the volunteers into their respective groups and highlighted the relevant characteristic VOCs. The respective dynamic combination (SPME-GC/MS and MDA) provides a means for long term non-invasive monitoring of the population's health status for early detection purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Papaefstathiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O.Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - M Stylianou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O.Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - C Andreou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - A Agapiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O.Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus.
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3
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Papaefstathiou E, Stylianou M, Agapiou A. Main and side stream effects of electronic cigarettes. J Environ Manage 2019; 238:10-17. [PMID: 30836280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decade there has been a significant boost towards the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), especially among youth. Different concentrations of propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG), flavors and nicotine are mixed in plastic cartridges and commercially offered or privately produced by the vapers. During vaping, a mixture of air and vapors is inhaled to the lungs. Since the ingredients of the e-cigarettes are not burned but vaporized (heated), fewer chemicals are emitted. The levels of potentially toxic compounds (e.g. volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), metals, radicals, nitrosamines, etc.) emitted from vaping appear to be lower compared to that of tobacco smoking (from combustible cigarettes). Nevertheless, measurable toxic elements and VOCs are still released (e.g. acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, etc.) along with other volatiles associated with e-liquid flavoring and device variability with PG and VG. The wide range of available flavors at various purities along with the heating temperature are important parameters affecting the evolution of VOCs and aerosols. There is lack of standardized short- and long-term epidemiological medical data (chronic exposure) on e-cigarettes effects to users, non-users and the human micro-environment (second- or third-hand exposure). Therefore, the potential health, safety and environmental effects of vaping are reviewed, examined and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Papaefstathiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - M Stylianou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus; NIREAS-International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - A Agapiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus.
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4
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Giannoukos S, Agapiou A, Brkić B, Taylor S. Volatolomics: A broad area of experimentation. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2018; 1105:136-147. [PMID: 30584978 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemical analysis (detection and monitoring) of compounds associated with the metabolic activities of an organism is at the cutting edge of science. Volatile metabolomics (volatolomics) are applied in a broad range of applications including: biomedical research (e.g. disease diagnostic tools, personalized healthcare and nutrition, etc.), toxicological analysis (e.g. exposure tool to environmental pollutants, toxic and hazardous chemical environments, industrial accidents, etc.), molecular communications, forensics, safety and security (e.g. search and rescue operations). In the present review paper, an overview of recent advances and applications of volatolomics will be given. The main focus will be on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from biological secretions of various organisms (e.g. microorganisms, insects, plants, humans) and resulting fusion of chemical information. Bench-top and portable or field-deployable technologies-systems will also be presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Giannoukos
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland; University of Liverpool, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Liverpool L69 3GJ, UK
| | - A Agapiou
- University of Cyprus, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 20357, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - B Brkić
- BioSense Institute, University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, 21 101 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - S Taylor
- University of Liverpool, Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Liverpool L69 3GJ, UK; Q Technologies Ltd, 100 Childwall Road, Liverpool L15 6UX, UK.
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5
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Giannoukos S, Agapiou A, Taylor S. Advances in chemical sensing technologies for VOCs in breath for security/threat assessment, illicit drug detection, and human trafficking activity. J Breath Res 2018; 12:027106. [DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/aa95dd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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6
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Agapiou A, Vamvakari JP, Andrianopoulos A, Pappa A. Volatile emissions during storing of green food waste under different aeration conditions. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:8890-8901. [PMID: 26810792 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6131-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Controlled field experiments were carried out for monitoring the emissions of three plastic commercial household waste bins, which were adapted for studying the effect of aeration process in the evolved volatiles, during house storing of green food waste for 2 weeks, prior to collection. Three experimental scenarios were examined based on no aeration ("NA," closed commercial waste bin), diffusion-based aeration ("DA," closed commercial waste bin with tiny holes), and enforced aeration ("EA," closed commercial waste bin with tiny holes and enforced aeration). The monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from organic household kitchen waste was performed using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) analysis. Portable sensors were also used for monitoring selected gases and parameters of environmental, bioprocess, and health interest (e.g., CO2, O2, H2S, CH4, NH3, % RH, waste temperatures). VOC emissions are strongly dependent on the waste material. The most frequent VOCs identified over the storing waste, showing over 50 % appearance in all examined samples, were terpenes (e.g., di-limonene, beta-myrcene, delta-3-carene, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpinolene, linalool, etc.), sulfides (dimethyl disulfide), aromatics (benzene, 1-methyl-2-(2-propenyl)), alkanes (e.g., decane, dodecane), ketones (2-propanone), esters (e.g., acetic acid ethyl ester, acetic acid methyl ester), and alcohols (e.g., 3-cyclohexen-1-ol, 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)). The prominent role of terpenes in the "pre-compost" odor and especially that of di-limonene was highlighted. In all examined scenarios, the emitted volatiles were increased at raised temperatures and later decreased in time. Aeration of waste bins slightly affected the volatilization process resulting in higher profiles of VOCs; uniformity in the composition of VOCs was also noted. Slight modifications of commercial waste bins may favor the initiation of home composting.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Agapiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus.
| | - J P Vamvakari
- Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
| | - A Andrianopoulos
- Helesi PLC - Hellenic Environmental Systems Industry AE, Industrial Park of Markopoulo, Location "Ntorovateza", Athens, Attiki, GR-19003, Greece
| | - A Pappa
- Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
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7
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Agapiou A, Zorba E, Mikedi K, McGregor L, Spiliopoulou C, Statheropoulos M. Analysis of volatile organic compounds released from the decay of surrogate human models simulating victims of collapsed buildings by thermal desorption-comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2015; 883:99-108. [PMID: 26088782 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2015.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Field experiments were devised to mimic the entrapment conditions under the rubble of collapsed buildings aiming to investigate the evolution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the early dead body decomposition stage. Three pig carcasses were placed inside concrete tunnels of a search and rescue (SAR) operational field terrain for simulating the entrapment environment after a building collapse. The experimental campaign employed both laboratory and on-site analytical methods running in parallel. The current work focuses only on the results of the laboratory method using thermal desorption coupled to comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC×GC-TOF MS). The flow-modulated TD-GC×GC-TOF MS provided enhanced separation of the VOC profile and served as a reference method for the evaluation of the on-site analytical methods in the current experimental campaign. Bespoke software was used to deconvolve the VOC profile to extract as much information as possible into peak lists. In total, 288 unique VOCs were identified (i.e., not found in blank samples). The majority were aliphatics (172), aromatics (25) and nitrogen compounds (19), followed by ketones (17), esters (13), alcohols (12), aldehydes (11), sulfur (9), miscellaneous (8) and acid compounds (2). The TD-GC×GC-TOF MS proved to be a sensitive and powerful system for resolving the chemical puzzle of above-ground "scent of death".
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Affiliation(s)
- A Agapiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - E Zorba
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 115 27 Goudi, Greece
| | - K Mikedi
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens 157 73, Greece
| | - L McGregor
- Markes International Ltd., Gwaun Elai Medi Science Campus, Llantrisant, RCT CF72 8XL, UK
| | - C Spiliopoulou
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str., 115 27 Goudi, Greece
| | - M Statheropoulos
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens 157 73, Greece
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8
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Statheropoulos M, Pallis GC, Mikedi K, Giannoukos S, Agapiou A, Pappa A, Cole A, Vautz W, Thomas CLP. Dynamic Vapor Generator That Simulates Transient Odor Emissions of Victims Entrapped in the Voids of Collapsed Buildings. Anal Chem 2014; 86:3887-94. [DOI: 10.1021/ac404175e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Statheropoulos
- School
of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
| | - G. C. Pallis
- School
of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
| | - K. Mikedi
- School
of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
| | - S. Giannoukos
- School
of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
- Department
of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GJ, United Kingdom
| | - A. Agapiou
- School
of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
| | - A. Pappa
- School
of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology Unit, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens, 157 73, Greece
| | - A. Cole
- Markes International Ltd, Gwaun Elai Medi Science
Campus, Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf CF72 8XL, United Kingdom
| | - W. Vautz
- Leibniz-Institut
für Analytische Wissenschaften − ISAS − e.V., Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Str. 11, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia 44139, Germany
| | - C. L. Paul Thomas
- Department
of Chemistry, Centre for Analytical Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
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9
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Stavrakakis P, Agapiou A, Mikedi K, Karma S, Statheropoulos M, Pallis GC, Pappa A. A scale-up field experiment for the monitoring of a burning process using chemical, audio, and video sensors. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2014; 21:891-900. [PMID: 23832773 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1945-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fires are becoming more violent and frequent resulting in major economic losses and long-lasting effects on communities and ecosystems; thus, efficient fire monitoring is becoming a necessity. A novel triple multi-sensor approach was developed for monitoring and studying the burning of dry forest fuel in an open field scheduled experiment; chemical, optical, and acoustical sensors were combined to record the fire spread. The results of this integrated field campaign for real-time monitoring of the fire event are presented and discussed. Chemical analysis, despite its limitations, corresponded to the burning process with a minor time delay. Nevertheless, the evolution profile of CO2, CO, NO, and O2 were detected and monitored. The chemical monitoring of smoke components enabled the observing of the different fire phases (flaming, smoldering) based on the emissions identified in each phase. The analysis of fire acoustical signals presented accurate and timely response to the fire event. In the same content, the use of a thermographic camera, for monitoring the biomass burning, was also considerable (both profiles of the intensities of average gray and red component greater than 230) and presented similar promising potentials to audio results. Further work is needed towards integrating sensors signals for automation purposes leading to potential applications in real situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Stavrakakis
- Field Analytical Chemistry and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, 157-73, Athens, Greece,
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Agapiou A, Mikedi K, Karma S, Giotaki ZK, Kolostoumbis D, Papageorgiou C, Zorba E, Spiliopoulou C, Amann A, Statheropoulos M. Physiology and biochemistry of human subjects during entrapment. J Breath Res 2013; 7:016004. [DOI: 10.1088/1752-7155/7/1/016004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Themistocleous K, Nisantzi A, Agapiou A, Alexakis DD, Hadjimitsis DG, Lysandrou V, Perdikou S, Retalis A, Chrysoulakis N. Long Term Monitoring of Air Pollution on Monuments and Cultural Heritage Sites in Cyprus Using Satellite Remote Sensing. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1260/2047-4970.1.1.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Although cultural heritage sites are documented and preserved, to date there has been limited monitoring and documentation of how cultural heritage sites are affected by air pollution. This paper aims to introduce a new approach for monitoring air pollution for areas near cultural heritage sites by using satellite remotely sensed data. This approach provides a cost-effective tool for local authorities and government agencies to identify the most polluted cultural heritage sites and make decisions regarding the conservation of these sites. Archived data may be used in order to study long term the impact of air pollution to cultural heritage sites. The study area includes significant open air monuments of Cyprus located in the four main cities of the island. In this paper the Limassol Castle is used as a focused case study. Three years of MODIS satellite data was evaluated and analyzed in order to categorize high risk long-term areas. Ground measurements using sun-photometers, spectro-radiometers and particulate matter (PM10) laser photometer were also utilized in the study. The darkest pixel atmospheric correction in conjunction with the use of the radiative transfer equation was applied to retrieve the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) from Landsat TM/ETM+ satellite images in order also to cross-validate the AOT values found from MODIS and sun-photometers. The results of the study indicate that air pollution is high in all the major cities in Cyprus near cultural heritage sites. The results also found that the Limassol castle was most affected by air pollution, while the other cultural heritage sites exhibited similar results.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Themistocleous
- Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - A. Nisantzi
- Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - A. Agapiou
- Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - D. D. Alexakis
- Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - D. G. Hadjimitsis
- Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos, Cyprus
| | - V. Lysandrou
- Restoration of Monuments and Sites, Kykkos Museum
| | - S. Perdikou
- Department of Civil Engineering, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - A. Retalis
- Institute of Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Greece
| | - N. Chrysoulakis
- Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, Foundation for Research and Technology - Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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12
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Mochalski P, Buszewska M, Agapiou A, Statheropoulos M, Buszewski B, Amann A. Preliminary Investigation of Permeation Profiles of Selected Head-Space Urine Volatiles (2-Heptanone, n-Octanal) Using IMS. Chromatographia 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10337-011-2157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Huo R, Agapiou A, Bocos-Bintintan V, Brown LJ, Burns C, Creaser CS, Devenport NA, Gao-Lau B, Guallar-Hoyas C, Hildebrand L, Malkar A, Martin HJ, Moll VH, Patel P, Ratiu A, Reynolds JC, Sielemann S, Slodzynski R, Statheropoulos M, Turner MA, Vautz W, Wright VE, Thomas CLP. The trapped human experiment. J Breath Res 2011; 5:046006. [DOI: 10.1088/1752-7155/5/4/046006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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14
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Statheropoulos M, Agapiou A, Spiliopoulou C, Pallis GC, Sianos E. Environmental aspects of VOCs evolved in the early stages of human decomposition. Sci Total Environ 2007; 385:221-7. [PMID: 17669473 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2007] [Revised: 06/30/2007] [Accepted: 07/02/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the time profile, measured as "accumulation", of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during the early stages of human decomposition was investigated. A human cadaver was placed in a sealed bag at approximately the 4th day after death. Evolved VOCs were monitored for 24 h by sampling at different time intervals. VOCs produced were analyzed by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS). Over 30 substances were identified in total. These included mainly aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, oxygenated compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, ketones) and organic sulfides. The last were the most prominent class of compounds identified. Eleven compounds were present in all the sampling cycles and constitute a "common core": ethanol, 2-propanone, dimethyl disulfide, methyl benzene, octane, 2-butanone, methyl ethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide and o-, m- and p-xylenes. The last sampling cycle yielded the most abundant compounds in number and quantities. Inorganic gases such as CO2, CO, NH3 and H2S were also determined. The fundamental physicochemical properties of the evolved VOCs were used for evaluating their environmental impacts. It appears that the decay process, which is a dynamic procedure, can provide chemical signals that might be detected and properly evaluated by experts in the fields of forensic sciences, search and rescue units and environmental scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Statheropoulos
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Sector I, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str, 157 73 Athens, Greece
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15
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Statheropoulos M, Mikedi K, Agapiou A, Georgiadou A, Karma S. Discriminant Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds data related to a new location method of entrapped people in collapsed buildings of an earthquake. Anal Chim Acta 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2006.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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16
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Statheropoulos M, Agapiou A, Georgiadou A. Analysis of expired air of fasting male monks at Mount Athos. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2006; 832:274-9. [PMID: 16483856 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2006.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2005] [Revised: 01/11/2006] [Accepted: 01/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Expired air chemical analysis is investigated as a search and locate method for the early detection of entrapped people under the ruins of collapsed buildings after an earthquake. Fasting individuals were examined as a group that simulates the medical status of some of such victims. Exhaled air from seven fasting male monks (after 63 h) was analysed using thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) analysis. Over 150 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified and the 43 most frequent are presented. Acetone showed by far the highest "positive alveolar gradient". Other compounds included phenol, di-limonene, 2-pentanone, isoprene and acetaldehyde. Quantitative results showed a 30-fold increase of acetone concentration (5.8 ppmv) compared to control measurements of a volunteer. Breath acetone was also identified through a portable gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometer showing possible, under certain conditions, effectiveness of the method in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Statheropoulos
- National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), School of Chemical Engineering, Sector I, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Athens 15773, Greece
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Statheropoulos M, Spiliopoulou C, Agapiou A. A study of volatile organic compounds evolved from the decaying human body. Forensic Sci Int 2005; 153:147-55. [PMID: 16139103 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2003] [Accepted: 08/13/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Two men were found dead near the island of Samos, Greece, in the Mediterranean sea. The estimated time of death for both victims was 3-4 weeks. Autopsy revealed no remarkable external injuries or acute poisoning. The exact cause of death remained unclear because the bodies had advanced decomposition. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) evolved from these two corpses were determined by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis (TD/GC/MS). Over 80 substances have been identified and quantified. The most prominent among them were dimethyl disulfide (13.39 nmol/L), toluene (10.11 nmol/L), hexane (5.58 nmol/L), benzene 1,2,4-trimethyl (4.04 nmol/L), 2-propanone (3.84 nmol/L), 3-pentanone (3.59 nmol/L). Qualitative and quantitative differences among the evolved VOCs and CO2 mean concentration values might indicate different rates of decomposition between the two bodies. The study of the evolved VOCs appears to be a promising adjunct to the forensic pathologist as they may offer important information which can be used in his final evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Statheropoulos
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Sector I, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., 157 73 Athens, Greece
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Statheropoulos M, Sianos E, Agapiou A, Georgiadou A, Pappa A, Tzamtzis N, Giotaki H, Papageorgiou C, Kolostoumbis D. Preliminary investigation of using volatile organic compounds from human expired air, blood and urine for locating entrapped people in earthquakes. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2005; 822:112-7. [PMID: 15996539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2005.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2004] [Revised: 03/19/2005] [Accepted: 05/21/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A preliminary investigation on the possibility of using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) determination of expired air, blood and urine, for the early location of entrapped people in earthquakes, has been carried out. A group of 15 healthy subjects has been sampled. The identification of a common "core" of substances might provide indications of human presence that can be used for the development of a real time field analytical method for the on site detection of entrapped people. Expired air samples have been analyzed by thermal desorption GC/MS and VOCs from blood and urine by headspace SPME-GC/MS. Acetone was the only compound found common in all three matrices. Isoprene was found in both expired air and blood samples. Acetone and isoprene along with a number of saturated hydrocarbons were among the major constituents identified in expired air analysis. Various ketones (2-pentanone, 4-heptanone, 2-butanone) were also determined over urine specimens. Using the techniques and methods of field analytical chemistry and technology appears to be the proper approach for applying the results of the present study in real situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Statheropoulos
- National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), School of Chemical Engineering, Sector I, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Str., Athens 157 73, Greece
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