Effect of phototherapy on airborne concentrations of volatile organic compounds found in neonatal incubators

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of phototherapy on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions inside neonatal incubators during standard operational settings. Study design: Air samples were collected from six unoccupied incubators during four standard operational settings and after adding phototherapy. Quantitative analyses were performed using a Tekmar AutoCan Preconcentrator interfaced to an Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatograph with a 5975 Mass Spectrometer. Result: Two VOCs, 2-heptanone and n-butyl acetate, were identified as elevated and mean concentrations increased further with temperature and addition of humidity (4.3 ± 0.93 to 39.66 ± 7.66 ppb [p = 0.001] and 0.68 ± 0.27 to 7.23 ± 1.05 ppb [p ≤ 0.001]; respectively). However, phototherapy did not significantly alter VOC concentrations inside the incubator. Conclusion: The use of phototherapy did not appear to influence 2-heptanone and n-butyl acetate concentrations or generate any new emissions within the neonatal incubator. This study confirmed the effect of temperature and humidity on 2-heptanone and n-butyl acetate, using authentic analytical standards.