In this study, an investigation was carried out on recovery tests of thermal desorption and solvent extraction methods for the analysis of toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, p-dichlorobenzene, tetradecane, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2EH), 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (TPMI), and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TPDI) in indoor air connected with or without a dehumidification tube at high humidity conditions. All the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) recovered almost well without a dehumidification tube. On the other hand, several VOCs, especially tetradecane, 2EH, TPMI, and TPDI, were seen to have low recoveries regarding the thermal desorption and solvent extraction methods when connected with a dehumidification tube. It was thought that these VOCs were adsorbed onto the dehumidification tube and, therefore, affected the quantitation of the VOCs in the indoor air.

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In this paper, the impact of food-related chemicals on human health is described, including new issues that are beginning to be of concern, in addition to previous reports. Chemical substances contained in food can be broadly classified into those contained in the food itself, those generated during the cooking process, and those migrated from food containers and other sources. Examples include pesticide residues, food additives, acrylamides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produced by cooking, and plasticizers that migrate from food containers. Because of the potential impacts of these chemicals on consumer health, measures are being taken, including regulation and monitoring. On the other hand, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Circular Economy have been promoted in recent years, and there are concerns about the risks posed by new chemical substances that may accompany these goals. Against this background, the control of chemical substances unintentionally contained in food products is expected to become increasingly important, and quantitative non-targeted analysis (qNTA) technology is promising as a countermeasure.

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Many gaseous chemicals are emitted from foods, on the other hand foods exposed to various gases. These gaseous substances are used in a wide variety of applications, including food quality control. However, many food-derived gases have odors and are causative agents of sick building syndrome. Therefore, concerns arise regarding indoor malodor and their impact on human health. This paper elucidates the utilization of gaseous chemical substances in the field of food preservation and their impact on indoor environments.

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Recently, the enteral flora (enterobacterial flora) have become an important focus of human health. While intestinal supplements have been developed and come to be available easily, interests in traditional fermented food have also been emerged. In Japan, fermented food and fermentation seasonings have widespread traditionally and Koji (malted rice), which often used for Japanese fermentation seasoning, is well known as “national fungus”. Numerous food products, like yoghurts, cheeses, alcoholic beverage are commercially manufactured with the employing of fermentation process. Because the product quality of fermented foods depends on the quality of growth of microorganisms, the technology for fermentation control is industrially important. Temperature, humidity and optimum temperature of enzyme are the essential factors for fermentation. In this article, the author elucidates the indoor environment control at manufacturing process of fermented foods.

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In recent years, as the impact of chemical exposure on children's growth and health has garnered attention, synthetic resins and rubber products made from chemical substances are being used extensively in everyday household items. Particularly, infant toys made from these materials are frequently encountered by infants in their daily lives, presenting specific opportunities for chemical exposure. Therefore, safety management and regulations have been implemented in various countries. This paper aims to outline the current status of domestic and international regulations concerning chemicals in toys and to raise awareness about the safety management of toys in our country through the discussion of health risk issues associated with toys in circulation.

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