Analytical Methods for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Determination and Monitoring in Different Matrixes: Potentialities and Drawbacks of On-Line and Off-Line Methods

Dear Colleagues,

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent a wide range of volatile chemicals detectable in several environmental matrices (air, water, and soil) as well as in human biological fluids (exhaled breath, urine, feces, and sweat). VOCs are worthy of an in-depth analysis as they are ubiquitous and selected ones are of high concern from a toxicological point of view. For instance, atmospheric VOCs, emitted to a lesser to a greater extent by both biogenic and anthropogenic sources (i.e., traffic, industrial activities, gas service stations), may play a critical role in the chemistry of the lower atmosphere leading to the formation of high concern secondary pollutants with potentially harmful effects on the human health, ecosystems, and the environment. VOCs are also detectable inside enclosed environments (offices, private dwellings, public places) at concentrations up to ten times higher than outdoors because VOCs are emitted by a wide selection of building materials and finishing products (paints, sealants, etc.) as well as consumer products (cleaning and disinfection products among others) and as a result of human activities (smoking, cooking, candle and incense burning, etc.). Furthermore, increasing interest has been recently paid to VOCs analysis in human biological fluids. Recent research outcomes recognize VOC detection in human breath and other body fluids as a new frontier in non-invasive, fast, and inexpensive monitoring of human metabolism and health status. VOCs are indeed the result of metabolic pathways and their presence or increased concentration may be related to the alteration of specific biochemical pathways, symptomatic of a pathological condition.

The last decade has witnessed a progressive evolution of the methodological approaches for the detection of VOCs and monitoring through the exploration of the potentialities of upgraded analytical techniques and innovative high temporal resolution devices. This Special Issue will provide a state of the art of the potentialities and drawbacks of existing methodological approaches as a function of the typology of the matrix, VOCs concentration, and objectives of the investigation.

Dr. Alessia Di Gilio
Dr. Jolanda Palmisani
Prof. Dr. Gianluigi de Gennaro
Guest Editors

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