You have full access to this open access article. Due to excessive application of essential oils and scented products in spa salons during aromatherapy and massage sessions, the elevated concentration of total volatile organic compounds TVOCs , particularly terpenes, which are known as secondary organic aerosol SOA precursors, is expected there. This study was aimed at determination of VOCs with a particular regard to terpenes in air samples collected in selected spa salons located in Northern Poland.
Active air sampling was conducted before and after treatments. Obtained results allowed to characterize chemical composition of indoor air of spa salons and also to relate the dependence between applied essential oil and indoor air chemical composition.
On the basis of obtained results, it may be stated that extensive application of essential oils rich in terpenes can significantly alter indoor air chemistry of spa salons, thereby influencing health and well-being of employees working there.
For several decades, indoor air quality has been a matter of interest of both scientists and politicians. Intensified interest in studying indoor air was triggered by proving that referring already gained knowledge of atmospheric air to indoor air may lead to inconsistencies, since mechanisms which govern indoor air chemistry are different from those characteristic to atmospheric air.
Also, there are significant differences between these two environments in abundance of defined components and direct sunlight, temperature, and humidity fluctuations etc. Weschler and Carslaw ; Abbatt and Chen Indoor air chemistry is greatly affected by primary emission of volatile organic compounds VOCs from a wide range of sources present indoors, i. Moreover, some VOCs may exhibit a carcinogenic activity resulting in lung, brain, liver, blood, and kidney cancer Rumchev et al.
