Results from the Swedish National Screening Programme 2004. Subreport 3: Limonene

Measurements of the terpene limonene were performed in 223 samples of air, sediment, sludge, water and biota from background and urban sites and from point sources. Both of the two optical isomers, d-limonene and l-limonene, were analyzed in all media. Since limonene is emitted from several plants, such as pine, it occurs naturally in the environment but is also used in houshold products and industrially. Air samples from industrial point sources indicated local emissions but limonene degrades quickly in the atmosphere. None of the background sediments and only two of the background water samples contained detectable concentrations of limonene. No limonene was detected in biota (fish) and the conclusion of the screening is that accumulation of limonene in the environment is of minor importance.