Integrated Approach for Comprehensive Screening of Indoor Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds via Passive Air Sampling Coupled with Non-targeted Analysis

Abstract

Indoor semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) pose significant health risks due to their widespread presence. However, their comprehensive profiling remains difficult due to the inherent limitations of conventional active sampling techniques and targeted analytical approaches. Here, we present an integrated approach that combines polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam-based passive air sampling with non-targeted analysis for high-throughput screening and semi-quantitative evaluation of indoor SVOCs. Two passive samplers, specifically optimized for capturing gas-phase and particle-bound SVOCs, were calibrated under real-world indoor conditions. The experimentally derived sampling rates were then used to construct predictive models aimed at extending quantitative applicability across diverse compounds. In addition, a reference-compound-based semi-quantitative strategy was established to support the non-targeted analysis. Field application in a building material market showed strong agreement between passive and active sampling results for both gas-phase and particle-associated SVOCs. Overall, this integrated approach enhances conventional indoor air monitoring by enabling broader chemical coverage and semi-quantitative analysis, offering a practical tool for exposure assessment and risk-informed chemical management.