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Table 8 List of compounds which were excluded from consideration for the differentiation of lung cancer patients from healthy controls

From: Noninvasive detection of lung cancer by analysis of exhaled breath

1,1-difluoroethane

used as a refrigerant, hence an exogenous origin is possible

2-propanol

indoor air component in hospital rooms

2-propanol, 1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-

exogenous origin?

acetamide, N,N-dimethyl-

is released by Tedlar bags

acetic anhydride and acetyl bromide

unclear origin

benzene, ethyl-

potentially interesting compound, but one of the volatile BTEX-compounds (= benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, xylene) appearing in gasoline

carbon disulfide

is released by GCMS septa

cineole

used in flavorings, fragrances, and cosmetics

diethyl ether

suspected to be an indoor air component in hospital rooms

ethanol

could be of exogenous origin

ethylene, tetrachloro-

used in dry cleaning, hence an exogenous origin is possible

formamide, N,N -dimethyl-

suspected to be an indoor air component in hospital rooms

isobutane

exogenous origin? (propellant)

limonene

exogenous origin? (is used in food manufacturing, cosmetics and cleansing agents)

p-cymene

is contained in essential oils (e.g., in cumin and thyme)

m-cymene

misidentification possible (mix-up with natural isomer p-cymene)

menthol mix of isomers

might be contained in candies, toothpaste or foodstuff

methyl acetate

is observed in healthy volunteers in low concentration (ca. 1 ppb), and increases with increased cardiac output

n-hexane

there is an ubiquitous pollution with n-hexane in the environment

n-pentane

marker for oxidative stress

p-xylene

indoor air component in hospital rooms

pentane, 2-methyl- and pentane, 3-methyl

potentially interesting compound, but might be released by GCMS septa

styrene

styrene is sometimes added to the BTEX-compounds (see ethyl-benzene above), making it BTEXS

trichloroethylene

TCE; groundwater contamination by TCE is an important environmental concern, hence an exogenous origin is possible