Applying body lotion dilutes skin lipids and emits phenoxyethanol, which increases OH reactivity and reduces hydroxyl radical levels by 30–140%.
Fragrances contain high ethanol content that consumes hydroxyl radicals, causing an 86% drop in the personal oxidation field despite terpenes’ potential to generate OH.
Fragrance-induced OH suppression is rapid but transient, whereas lotion effects on OH reactivity and loss persist for hours, as confirmed by multiphase kinetic and CFD models.
Simulations of a pure terpene fragrance (linalool) show increased OH reactivity but less than 10% decrease in OH concentration when not diluted in ethanol.
Personal care products significantly alter spatial and temporal distributions of reactive radicals indoors, impacting indoor chemistry and potentially human health.
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