Essential oils emit many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with some considered potentially hazardous. However, little is known about specific emissions from essential oils that make therapeutic claims for health and well-being. This study investigated VOCs emitted from 14 commercially available essential oils with therapeutic claims, such as beneficial for coughs, colds, flus, relaxation, sleep, tension, headaches, stress, or skin irritation. The essential oils were selected from different brands and types, such as tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil, bergamot oil, orange oil, and oil blends. Analyses were performed using headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The analyses found 1034 VOCs emitted from the 14 essential oils, representing 378 VOC identities. The most prevalent VOCs (in more than 90% of the oils) were acetaldehyde, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-pinene, camphene, limonene, methanol, terpinolene, 3-carene, acetone, beta-phellandrene, ethanol, and gamma-terpinene. Among the 1034 VOCs emitted, 251 VOCs, representing 60 VOC identities, are classified as potentially hazardous. The most prevalent potentially hazardous VOCs were acetaldehyde, limonene, methanol, acetone, ethanol, and 3-carene. Toluene was found in more than 70% of the essential oils. Each of the essential oils emitted 9 or more potentially hazardous VOCs. Fewer than 1% of all VOCs identified and fewer than 1% of all potentially hazardous VOCs were listed on any essential oil label, safety data sheet, or website. Results from this study provide new findings on VOC emissions from essential oils with therapeutic claims, which can help to improve public awareness about potential exposures and risks.

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具有治疗功效的精油的挥发性化学排放物

精油会释放许多挥发性有机化合物 (VOC)，其中一些被认为具有潜在危险。然而，人们对精油的特定排放物知之甚少，这些精油对健康和福祉具有治疗作用。该研究调查了 14 种具有治疗功效的市售精油释放的 VOC，例如对咳嗽、感冒、流感、放松、睡眠、紧张、头痛、压力或皮肤刺激有益。精油选自不同品牌和类型，例如茶树油、薰衣草油、桉树油、天竺葵油、薄荷油、佛手柑油、橙油和混合油。使用顶空气相色谱/质谱 (GC/MS) 进行分析。分析发现 14 种精油释放出 1034 种 VOC，代表 378 种 VOC 特性。最普遍的 VOC（在 90% 以上的油中）是乙醛、α-水芹烯、α-蒎烯、蒎烯、柠檬烯、甲醇、萜品油烯、3-蒎烯、丙酮、β-水芹烯、乙醇和γ-萜品烯。在排放的 1034 种 VOC 中，251 种 VOC，代表 60 种 VOC 身份，被归类为潜在危险。最普遍的潜在危险 VOC 是乙醛、柠檬烯、甲醇、丙酮、乙醇和 3-carene。在超过 70% 的精油中发现了甲苯。每种精油都会排放 9 种或更多具有潜在危险的 VOC。在任何精油标签、安全数据表或网站上列出的所有 VOC 不到 1%，所有潜在危险 VOC 不到 1%。这项研究的结果提供了具有治疗功效的精油 VOC 排放的新发现，