In this paper, we propose a fast and easy-to-use analytical method to identify the children toys contaminated with potentially dangerous substances from the class of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is shown that the use of cross-sensitive gas sensor array based on piezoelectric sensors, modified with different sorbents, allows reliable recognition of items with the elevated levels of VOCs. Applying chemometric methods for processing of the sensor array data, it is possible to classify the toys into clean and hazardous ones with sensitivity and accuracy around 96%. Taking into account the simplicity of the suggested procedure, it appears to be an attractive option for cost-effective pre-screening of potentially dangerous plastic toys in comparison with the expensive and time-consuming chromatographic methods.

Original languageEnglish
Article number120701
Number of pages7
JournalTalanta
Volume211
Early online date30 Dec 2019
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2020

    Research areas

  • Toys safety, Volatile organic compounds, Electronic nose, Piezoelectric sensors, Linear discriminant analysis, PHTHALATE-ESTERS, ELECTRONIC NOSE, CHILDRENS TOYS, FRAGRANCE ALLERGENS, STATIONARY PHASES, SCENTED TOYS, CHROMATOGRAPHY, EXPOSURE, REGRESSION, EMISSIONS

    Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry

ID: 52378329