Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
In Vitro Method to Control Concentrations of Halogenated Gases in Cultured Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Published on: October 23, 2018
Emission of volatile organic compounds from medical equipment inside neonatal incubators
U Colareta Ugarte1, P Prazad2, B L Puppala2
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital/Advocate Children's Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA.
Objective:
To determine emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plastic medical equipment within an incubator.
Study Design:
Air samples from incubators before and after adding medical equipment were analyzed using EPA TO-15 methodology. Headspace analysis was used to identify VOC emissions from each medical equipment item. Air changes per hour (ACH) of each incubator were determined and used to calculate the emission rate of identified VOCs.
Results:
Cyclohexanone was identified in all incubator air samples. At 28 °C, the mean concentration before and after adding medical equipment items was 2.1 ± 0.6 and 57.2 ± 14.9 μg m(-3),respectively (P<0.01). Concentrations increased to a mean of 83.8 ± 23.8 μg m(-)(3) (P<0.01) at 37(o)C and 93.0 ± 45.1 μg m(-)(3) (P=0.39) after adding 50% humidity. Intravenous tubing contributed 89% of cyclohexanone emissions. ACH were determined with access doors closed and open with means of 11.5 ± 1.7 and 44.1 ± 6.7 h(-1), respectively. Cyclohexanone emission rate increased from a mean of 102.2 μg h(-1) at 28(°C to 148.8 μg h(-1) (P<0.01) at 37 °C.
Conclusion:
Cyclohexanone was quantified in all incubator air samples containing plastic medical equipment. The concentration of cyclohexanone within the incubator was inversely related to ACH in the closed mode. The cyclohexanone concentration as well as the emission rate increased with higher temperature.
More Related Videos
09:19Capturing Actively Produced Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds from Human-Associated Samples with Vacuum-Assisted Sorbent Extraction
Published on: June 1, 2022
08:58Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
Published on: October 31, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:30Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:29Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...
01:30Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference