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Díez-Palet I, Jaén C, Marco E, Van Drooge BL, Fernández P, Grimalt JO. Measurement of volatile organic compounds using tethered balloons in a polluted industrial site in Catalonia (Spain). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-34020-3. [PMID: 38922473 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34020-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) near emission sources and in the background atmosphere above the mixing layer height (MLH) provides insight into the fate of VOCs and is essential for developing effective air pollution control strategies. Unfortunately, knowledge of the qualitative and quantitative changes of VOCs and their vertical transport in the atmosphere is limited due to challenging experimental setups. In this study, an innovative method using tethered balloons was tested and implemented to sample 40 VOCs and O3 below and above the MLH at an industrial site in Spain. VOC and O3 samples were collected with different types of sorbent cartridges and analyzed using chromatographic techniques. Overall, a decrease in VOC concentration with altitude was observed along with a homogeneous chemical composition up to 300 m AGL. This decrease with altitude denoted the primary origin of these VOCs, which were strongly influenced by industrial processes and the traffic emissions in the area. Conversely, O3 concentrations were notably higher at balloon level and increased during nighttime temperature inversion episodes in those samples collected above the mixing layer. Ground samples contained freshly emitted pollutants of industrial origin, while balloon samples consisted of aged pollutants from traffic, other combustion sources, or from a secondary origin. This study is the first to assess the vertical composition of VOCs at a site of these characteristics and demonstrates that tethered balloons are a cost-effective method for studying air pollution dynamics from the ground to higher altitudes in the low troposphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Díez-Palet
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Clara Jaén
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Esther Marco
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Barend L Van Drooge
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pilar Fernández
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joan O Grimalt
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Kumari P, Soni D, Aggarwal SG. Benzene: A critical review on measurement methodology, certified reference material, exposure limits with its impact on human health and mitigation strategies. Environ Anal Health Toxicol 2024; 39:e2024012-0. [PMID: 39054826 PMCID: PMC11294662 DOI: 10.5620/eaht.2024012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Benzene is a carcinogenic pollutant with significant emission sources present in the atmosphere. The need for accurate and precise measurement of benzene in the atmosphere has become increasingly evident due to its toxicity and the adverse health effects associated with exposure to different concentrations. Certified reference material (CRM) is essential to establish the traceability of measurement results. The present review compiles the available national and international measurement methods, certified reference materials (CRMs) for benzene and the limit of benzene in fuel composition (v/v) worldwide. Overall, the review indicates the benzene level in the atmosphere and the resulting impacts on the environment and human health, which frequently exceed the exposure limits of different environment regulatory agencies. An extensive literature review was conducted to gather information on monitoring and analysis methods for benzene, revealing that the most preferred method, i.e. Gas Chromatography- Flame Ionization Detector and Mass Spectrometry, is neither cost-effective nor suitable for real-time continuous monitoring. By analysing existing literature and studies, this review will shed light on the understanding of the importance of benzene pollution monitoring in ambient air and its implications for public health. Additionally, it will reflect the mitigation strategies applied by regulators & need for future revisions of air quality guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Kumari
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110012, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Daya Soni
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110012, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
| | - Shankar G Aggarwal
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110012, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
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Hosseini SA, Abtahi M, Dobaradaran S, Hassankhani H, Koolivand A, Saeedi R. Assessment of health risk and burden of disease induced by exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in the outdoor air in Tehran, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27889-z. [PMID: 37233938 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27889-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The health risk and burden of disease induced by exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in the outdoor air in Tehran, 2019 were assessed based on the data of five fixed stations with weekly BTEX measurements. The non-carcinogenic risk, carcinogenic risk, and disease burden from exposure to BTEX compounds were determined by hazard index (HI), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and disability-adjusted life year (DALY), respectively. The average annual concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in the outdoor air in Tehran were 6.59, 21.62, 4.68, and 20.88 μg/m3, respectively. The lowest seasonal BTEX concentrations were observed in spring and the highest ones occurred in summer. The HI values of BTEX in the outdoor air in Tehran by district ranged from 0.34 to 0.58 (less than one). The average ILCR values of benzene and ethylbenzene were 5.37 × 10-5 and 1.23 × 10-5, respectively (in the range of probable increased cancer risk). The DALYs, death, DALY rate (per 100,000 people) and death rate (per 100,000 people) induced by BTEX exposure in the outdoor air in Tehran were determined to be 180.21, 3.51, 2.07, and 0.04, respectively. The five highest attributable DALY rates in Tehran by district were observed in the districts 10 (2.60), 11 (2.43), 17 (2.41), 20 (2.32), and 9 (2.32), respectively. The corrective measures such as controlling road traffic and improving the quality of vehicles and gasoline in Tehran could reduce the burden of disease from BTEX along with the health effects of other outdoor air pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Arman Hosseini
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrnoosh Abtahi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Workplace Health Promotion Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
- Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Ali Koolivand
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Reza Saeedi
- Workplace Health Promotion Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Health and Safety, and Environment (HSE), School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Shihab AS, Al-Jarrah OAI. Ambient levels of BTEX at roadside in northern Iraq and its relationship with traffic volume. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:712. [PMID: 37221427 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11284-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Among the mono-aromatic volatile organic compounds, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) have occupied a large area in air pollution studies due to their carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effect. In this study, a station was used to monitor BTEX concentrations at roadside in urban area at Mosul city along a year, with traffic volume and meteorological factors measurement. The annual mean of benzene was 12 µg/m3, which is more than twofolds of the standard European Union level of 5 µg/m3. In addition, 87.4% of the measured values in summer was higher than the standard level at roadside. Benzene was dominant in spring and summer among BTEX species, while the dominance changed to ethylbenzene in autumn and winter. Besides, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene showed significant seasonal variation. BTEX and benzene concentrations increased as the number of vehicles on gasoline and diesel increased. In contrast, toluene and ethylbenzene were more affected with number of vehicles on diesel. On the other hand, the weak significant correlations among BTEX species and high T/B ratio indicate the difference in fuel types used and the existence of additional sources of BTEX emission with the vehicular exhausts. These results can be utilized in determining the control strategy in air quality management in Mosul city.
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Singh BP, Kumari S, Nair A, Kumari S, Wabaidur SM, Avtar R, Rahman S. Temporary reduction in VOCs associated with health risk during and after COVID-19 in Maharashtra, India. JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY 2022; 80:53-76. [PMID: 35992767 PMCID: PMC9382016 DOI: 10.1007/s10874-022-09440-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A novel coronavirus has affected almost all countries and impacted the economy, environment, and social life. The short-term impact on the environment and human health needs attention to correlate the Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and health assessment for pre-, during, and post lockdowns. Therefore, the current study demonstrates VOC changes and their effect on air quality during the lockdown. The findings of result, the levels of the mean for total VOC concentrations were found to be 15.45 ± 21.07, 2.48 ± 1.61, 19.25 ± 28.91 µg/m3 for all monitoring stations for pre-, during, and post lockdown periods. The highest value of TVOCs was observed at Thane, considered an industrial region (petroleum refinery), and the lowest at Bandra, which was considered a residential region, respectively. The VOC levels drastically decreased by 52%, 89%, 80%, and 97% for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m-xylene, respectively, during the lockdown period compared to the previous year. In the present study, the T/B ratio was found lower in the lockdown period as compared to the pre-lockdown period. This can be attributed to the complete closure of non-traffic sources such as industries and factories during the lockdown. The Lifetime Cancer Risk values for all monitoring stations for benzene for pre-and-post lockdown periods were higher than the prescribed value, except during the lockdown period. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10874-022-09440-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhupendra Pratap Singh
- Delhi School of Climate Change and Sustainability (Institute of Eminence) & Department of Environmental Studies, Deshbadhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Saumya Kumari
- Delhi School of Climate Change and Sustainability (Institute of Eminence) & Department of Environmental Studies, Deshbadhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Arathi Nair
- Delhi School of Climate Change and Sustainability (Institute of Eminence) & Department of Environmental Studies, Deshbadhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sweety Kumari
- Delhi School of Climate Change and Sustainability (Institute of Eminence) & Department of Environmental Studies, Deshbadhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Ram Avtar
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0810 Japan
| | - Shakilur Rahman
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
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Soares MV, Mesadri J, Gonçalves DF, Cordeiro LM, Franzen da Silva A, Obetine Baptista FB, Wagner R, Dalla Corte CL, Soares FAA, Ávila DS. Neurotoxicity induced by toluene: In silico and in vivo evidences of mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 298:118856. [PMID: 35033616 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Toluene is an air pollutant widely used as an organic solvent in industrial production and emitted by fossil fuel combustion, in addition to being used as a drug of abuse. Its toxic effects in the central nervous system have not been well established, and how and which neurons are affected remains unknown. Hence, this study aimed to fill this gap by investigating three central questions: 1) How does toluene induce neurotoxicity? 2) Which neurons are affected? And 3) What are the long-term effects induced by airborne exposure to toluene? To this end, a Caenorhabditis elegans model was employed, in which worms at the fourth larval stage were exposed to toluene in the air for 24 h in a vapor chamber to simulate four exposure scenarios. After the concentration-response curve analysis, we chose scenarios 3 (E3: 792 ppm) and 4 (E4: 1094 ppm) for the following experiments. The assays were performed 1, 48, or 96 h after removal from the exposure environments, and an irreversible reduction in neuron fluorescence and morphologic alterations were observed in different neurons of exposed worms, particularly in the dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, a significant impairment in a dopaminergic-dependent behavior was also associated with negative effects in healthspan endpoints, and we also noted that mitochondria may be involved in toluene-induced neurotoxicity since lower adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) levels and mitochondrial viability were observed. In addition, a reduction of electron transport chain activity was evidenced using ex vivo protocols, which were reinforced by in silico and in vitro analysis, demonstrating toluene action in the mitochondrial complexes. Based on these findings model, it is plausible that toluene neurotoxicity can be initiated by complex I inhibition, triggering a mitochondrial dysfunction that may lead to irreversible dopaminergic neuronal death, thus impairing neurobehavioral signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcell Valandro Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Grupo de Pesquisa em Bioquímica e Toxicologia em Caenorhabditis elegans (GBToxCe), Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, CEP 97500-970, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mesadri
- Departamento: Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciência Rurais, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Débora Farina Gonçalves
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Larissa Marafiga Cordeiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Aline Franzen da Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabiane Bicca Obetine Baptista
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Roger Wagner
- Departamento: Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciência Rurais, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Lenz Dalla Corte
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Félix Alexandre Antunes Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Daiana Silva Ávila
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Bioquímica e Toxicologia em Caenorhabditis elegans (GBToxCe), Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, CEP 97500-970, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
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Bretón RMC, Bretón JGC, Kahl JWD, Chi MPU, Lozada SEC, de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes M, Martínez RG, Del Carmen Lara Severino R. Seasonal and Diurnal Variations of BTEX in Ambient Air from a Site Impacted by the Oil Industry in Southeast Mexico. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 108:212-218. [PMID: 34546391 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03379-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric concentrations of BTEX were measured in an urban site located in the vicinity of an oil storage-distribution facility in Paraiso, Tabasco, Mexico. Samples were collected during two seasons (nortes 2018 and dry 2019). The relative abundance of BTEX mean concentrations was: toluene (5.24 µg m-3) > ethylbenzene (3.92 µg m-3) > m, p-xylene (3.89 µg m-3) > benzene (2.43 µg m-3). BTEX concentrations had a clear diurnal and seasonal pattern, showing higher levels during the dry season due to differences in wind conditions, rainfall patterns and temperature. Statistical analysis showed significant positive correlations among BTEX, indicating that these compounds had common sources. Interspecies ratios revealed that BTEX were originated from sources beyond vehicular traffic and that they were influenced by the transport of local air masses. The assessment of lifetime cancer risk showed that the population in the study area is at possible risk of developing cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa María Cerón Bretón
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Calle 56 Num. 4 Esq. Ave. Concordia, Col. Benito Juárez, C.P. 24180, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico.
| | - Julia Griselda Ceron Bretón
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Calle 56 Num. 4 Esq. Ave. Concordia, Col. Benito Juárez, C.P. 24180, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Jonathan W D Kahl
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Atmospheric Science Group, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA
| | - Martha Patricia Uc Chi
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Calle 56 Num. 4 Esq. Ave. Concordia, Col. Benito Juárez, C.P. 24180, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Simón Eduardo Carranco Lozada
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CECyT 17 León. Boulevard Caliope Num. 1055, Col. Las Joyas, León, 7738, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - María de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Aerosoles Atmosféricos, Centro de Ciencias de La Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Investigación Científica S/N, 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Rocío García Martínez
- Laboratorio de Aerosoles Atmosféricos, Centro de Ciencias de La Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Investigación Científica S/N, 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Reyna Del Carmen Lara Severino
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Calle 56 Num. 4 Esq. Ave. Concordia, Col. Benito Juárez, C.P. 24180, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico
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Zafar M, H Zaidi ST, Husain SS, Bukhari NM. Risk Assessment of Ambient Air Pollutants and Health Impact around Fuel Stations in Urban Cities of KSA. Int J Prev Med 2021; 12:91. [PMID: 34584657 PMCID: PMC8428307 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_331_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In Saudi Arabia, fuel dispensing facilities commonly present around the residential places, educational institutions, and various health care facilities. Fuel pollutants such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) and its alkyl derivatives are harmful to human health because of their toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic properties. The aim of this study was to determine the BTX concentration levels of common pollutants in and around fuel stations and their harmful health effects in the urban cites of KSA. Methods: Forty fuel dispensing facilities were randomly selected on the basis of three different areas: residential, traffic intersection, and petrol pump locations (refueling stations). Portable ambient analyzer was used for measuring BTX concentration. t-test was applied to determine the difference between these different areas. Results: All mean concentration values of pollutants such as BTX around residential, traffic intersection, and fuel stations are exceeding the limits of air quality standards values (P < 0.01). The mean levels of benzene are 10.3 and 11.07 ppm in Dammam and Khobar, respectively, and they exceed the reference level of 0.5 ppm. Hazard quotient was more than >1, which shows that carcinogenic probability has increased those who were living and working near fuel stations. Conclusions: The results found that the high concentration of pollutants (BTX) is in the environment around fuel stations. The environmental contamination associated with BTX in petrol fuel stations impulses the necessity of preventive programs to reduce the further air quality deterioration and reduce the harmful health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubashir Zafar
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Hail, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Syed Tafazzul H Zaidi
- Department of Community Medicine, Sindh Medical College, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Syed Shajee Husain
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, University Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Noreen M Bukhari
- Department of Community Medicine, Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot, Pakistan
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Masih A, Dviwedi S, Lal JK. Source characterization and health risks of BTEX in indoor/outdoor air during winters at a terai precinct of North India. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2021; 43:2985-3003. [PMID: 33483909 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-00822-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BTEX are the consistently found air contaminants in indoor and outdoor environments. In order to investigate the exposure levels of BTEX, the indoor and outdoor air was analyzed during winter season at homes located at four selected sites of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, which comprised residential, roadside, industrial and agricultural areas. BTEX were sampled with a low-flow pump (SKC model 220). Samples were extracted with CS2 and the aromatic fraction was subjected to GC-FID. Mean indoor concentration of BTEX was highest at the agricultural (70.9 µg m-3) followed by industrial (30.0 µg m-3), roadside (17.5 µg m-3) and residential site (11.8 µg m-3). At outdoor locations, the mean BTEX levels were highest at the roadside (22.0 µg m-3) followed by industrial (18.7 µg m-3), agricultural (11.0 µg m-3) and residential site (9.1 µg m-3). The I/O ratios were greater than 1 at all the sites except roadside site, where I/O ratios for toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were less than unity. Poor correlation between indoor and outdoor levels at each site further indicated the dominance of indoor sources. Factor analysis followed by one-way analysis of variance depicts that the presence of BTEX compounds at all the sites indicate a mixture of vehicular and combustion activities. For benzene, the ILTCR values exceeded the safe levels, whereas ethylbenzene was nearby to the recommended level 1 × 10-6. The HQ values were above unity for agricultural (indoors) and industrial (outdoors) as an exception to all the other sites which indicted the value below unity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Masih
- Environmental Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, St. Andrew's College, Gorakhpur, India.
| | - Samriddhi Dviwedi
- Environmental Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, St. Andrew's College, Gorakhpur, India
| | - J K Lal
- Environmental Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, St. Andrew's College, Gorakhpur, India
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Guo R, Jiang S, Hu M, Zhan Y, Cheng K, Duan G. Adsorption of volatile benzene series compounds by surface-modified glass fibers: kinetics, thermodynamic adsorption efficiencies, and mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:30898-30907. [PMID: 33594553 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-12227-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The presence of volatile benzene series compounds (VBSCs) in the environment is continually increasing, with the potential for negative effects on human health. It is therefore important to develop new materials for the adsorption of these compounds using various modification techniques. Glass fibers are a promising adsorbent for VBSCs and offer a number of advantages. In the present work, the surfaces of glass fibers were modified using hydrogen peroxide, a sodium hydroxide solution, or Piranha solution (a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide). The adsorption characteristics of the resulting specimens were investigated, employing 10 volatile benzene-based compounds, and the activated glass fibers showed significantly improved adsorption efficiencies. The fibers activated with the Piranha solution were further modified with a triethoxysilyl benzene compound to obtain an aryl-modified material that demonstrated enhanced adsorption of aniline, salicylaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, and xylene relative to that obtained from a combination of polyurethane foam and XAD-2 resin. The adsorption efficiency of benzyl alcohol by these aryl glass fibers was found to be as high as 93% and the adsorption mechanism is believed to be associated with hydrogen bonding and π-π conjugation. This study provides a reliable technique for the quantification of VBSCs and a basis for the evaluation of various adsorption materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Guo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
| | - Sijing Jiang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Ming Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yuhang Zhan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Kun Cheng
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Gaigai Duan
- Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
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11
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Rezaali M, Fouladi-Fard R, Mojarad H, Sorooshian A, Mahdinia M, Mirzaei N. A wavelet-based random forest approach for indoor BTEX spatiotemporal modeling and health risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:22522-22535. [PMID: 33420932 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-12298-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This study reports on BTEX concentrations in one of the largest parking garages in Iran with a peak traffic flow reaching up to ~9300 vehicles in the last few days of the Nowruz holidays. Samples were obtained on different days of the week at three main locations in the Zaer Parking Garage. A novel wavelet-based random forest model (WRF) was trained to estimate BTEX concentrations by decomposing temperature, day of the week, sampling location, and relative humidity data with a maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) function and subsequently inputted into the WRF model. The results suggested that the WRF model can reasonably estimate BTEX trends and variations based on high R2 values of 0.96, 0.95, and 0.98 for training, validation, and test data subsets, respectively. The carcinogenic (LTCR) and non-carcinogenic health risk (HI) assessment results indicated a definite carcinogenic risk of benzene (LTCR = 2.22 × 10-4) and high non-carcinogenic risk (HI = 4.51) of BTEX emissions. The results of this study point to the importance of BTEX accumulation in poorly ventilated areas and the utility of machine learning in forecasting air pollution in diverse airsheds such as parking garages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reza Fouladi-Fard
- Research Centre for Environmental Pollutants, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
| | - Hassan Mojarad
- Student Research Committee, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mohsen Mahdinia
- Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Nezam Mirzaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Biomarkers of Low-Level Environmental Exposure to Benzene and Oxidative DNA Damage in Primary School Children in Sardinia, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094644. [PMID: 33925535 PMCID: PMC8123794 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: The main anthropic sources of exposure to airborne benzene include vehicular traffic, cigarette smoke, and industrial emissions. Methods: To detect early genotoxic effects of environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored environmental, personal, and indoor airborne benzene in children living in an urban area and an area near a petrochemical plant. We also used urinary benzene and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) as biomarkers of benzene exposure and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker of early genotoxic effects. Results: Although always below the European Union limit of 5 μg/m3, airborne benzene levels were more elevated in the indoor, outdoor, and personal samples from the industrial surroundings compared to the urban area (p = 0.026, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, respectively). Children living in the surroundings of the petrochemical plant had urinary benzene values significantly higher than those from the urban area in both the morning and evening samples (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Results of multiple regression modelling showed that age was a significant predictor of 8-OHdG excretion, independent of the sampling hour. Moreover, at the low exposure level experienced by the children participating in this study, neither personal or indoor airborne benzene level, nor personal monitoring data, affected 8-OHdG excretion. Conclusions: Our results suggest the importance of biological monitoring of low-level environmental exposure and its relation to risk of genotoxic effects among children.
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Salama KF, Omar EOM, Zafar M. Assessment of BTX Concentration around Fuel Station in Eastern Province Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Indian J Occup Environ Med 2021; 24:163-167. [PMID: 33746429 PMCID: PMC7962504 DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_157_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) concentration levels in and around fuel station and its expected health risks in the City of Dammam and Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Method: Forty fuel dispensing facilities were randomly selected on the basis of three different areas, residential, traffic intersection, and petrol pump locations (refueling stations). coconut shell charcoal cartridges were used for samples collection and portable Ambient Analyzer was used for measuring BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) concentration. Results: Results show that the average concentration of benzene, toluene, and xylenes level around fuel stations was 10.30, 4.09, and 2.47 ppm, respectively. All means of concentration values of BTX around residential, traffic intersection, and fuel stations are exceeding the limits of air quality standards values (P < 0.01). The mean concentration of BTX around residential area, side street, and direct street was benzene 8, 12.2, and 11.5 ppm, toluene 2.5, 5.95, and 3.37 ppm, and xylenes 2, 2.13, and 2.7 ppm. Hazard Quotient (HQ) was more than >1 which showed that carcinogenic probability has increased those exposed to this toxic chemical. Conclusion: Ambient concentration of BTX was high compare to neighboring residential area and 100 m from the fuel station which can negatively affect on health of several residences. The Environmental contamination associated with BTX in petrol fuel stations impulses the necessity of preventive programs to reduce further air quality deterioration and reduce the expected health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled F Salama
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Eltigani O M Omar
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mubashir Zafar
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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14
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Soltanpour Z, Mohammadian Y, Fakhri Y. The concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in ambient air of the gas stations in Iran: A systematic review and probabilistic health risk assessment. Toxicol Ind Health 2021; 37:134-141. [PMID: 33506745 DOI: 10.1177/0748233720981218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) has been reported in gas stations. Exposure to BTEX can result in adverse health outcomes in workers such as cancer and neurological effects. The health risk assessments of exposure to BTEX could be useful in choosing suitable control measures. In this review, data from previous studies of gas station environments in Iran were collected from years 2000 to 2020. The health risk assessments were conducted through the estimation of cancer and noncancer risks using a Monte Carlo simulation based on the US Environmental Protection Agency method. The results showed that exposure to BTEX in some cities of Iran was greater than the occupational exposure limits. The results of cancer risk assessments demonstrated that cancer risk was not increased. However, results of noncancer risk assessments demonstrated that neurological toxicity from exposure to BTEX was significant in different cities of Iran. The health risk assessments indicated that workers at gas station are at health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Soltanpour
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, 48432Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yousef Mohammadian
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, 48432Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadolah Fakhri
- Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, 14656Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
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15
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Martellini T, Berlangieri C, Dei L, Carretti E, Santini S, Barone A, Cincinelli A. Indoor levels of volatile organic compounds at Florentine museum environments in Italy. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:900-913. [PMID: 32090381 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Indoor Air Quality monitoring in cultural institutions is of particular concern to protect these places and the cultural heritage content. An indoor monitoring campaign was performed in three museums in Florence (Italy) to determine the occurrence and levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs of interest included BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), terpenes, aldehydes, organic acids, and cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (cVMS). The most abundant VOCs in all samples analyzed were BTEX, which were strictly related to the traffic source, followed by siloxanes and terpenes. Among BTEX, toluene was always the most abundant followed by xylenes, ethylbenzene, and benzene. cVMS in exhibition rooms with the presence of visitors showed higher values compared to samples collected when the museums were closed. Terpenes showed not only the influence of vegetation-biogenic sources surrounding a museum but could also be related to the wood used for the construction of showcases and furniture and the use of cleaning products. Data obtained also showed the presence of organic acids and aldehydes whose source can be traced back to exhibits themselves and wood-based furniture. Assessing the levels of organic acids in museums is important because, over time, it can cause deterioration of the artifacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Martellini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Berlangieri
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luigi Dei
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Emiliano Carretti
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Saul Santini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angelica Barone
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cincinelli
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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16
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Jafari AJ, Asl YA, Momeniha F. Determination of metals and BTEX in different components of waterpipe: charcoal, tobacco, smoke and water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2020; 18:243-251. [PMID: 32399236 PMCID: PMC7203304 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00459-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) in smoke and water bowl of 5-most commonly used tobacco brand in waterpipe in Tehran, the capital of Iran. METHODS Five types of conventional tobacco in Tehran were investigated. Heavy metals and BTEX were analyzed in waterpipe smoke, tobacco, charcoal and water bowl prior to and after smoking by using ICP-OES and GC-MS, respectively. RESULTS Our results indicated that Khansar and Al Fakher brands had the maximum and minimum concentrations of metals among tobacco consumed, respectively. The results showed that there was a significant difference between content of heavy metals in burned and unburned tobacco. The highest and lowest concentrations of metals were related to Fe and Hg, respectively. CONCLUSION Results showed that tobacco, charcoal and smoke of waterpipe contained significant contents of toxic metals and BTEX, and exposure to these components could be the main reason for the concerns about waterpipe smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Jonidi Jafari
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Momeniha
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Hsieh MT, Peng CY, Chung WY, Lai CH, Huang SK, Lee CL. Simulating the spatiotemporal distribution of BTEX with an hourly grid-scale model. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 246:125722. [PMID: 31891849 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Modeling approaches have been utilized to simulate ambient pollutant concentrations, but very limited efforts have been made to estimate volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere. For this reason, an hourly grid-scale simulation model was developed to determine ambient air concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). BTEX data were collected over a one-year time frame from the database of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration's photochemical assessment monitoring stations. Multivariate linear regression models were used along with correlation analysis to simulate hourly grid-scale BTEX concentrations, using criteria pollutants and selected meteorological variables as predictors. The simulation model was validated in the southern Taiwan area via a portable micro gas chromatography system (n = 121) with significant correlation (r = 0.566**, ** indicated p < 0.01). Moreover, the grid-scale model was applied to areas covering about 72% of the population in Taiwan. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to visualize the spatial distribution of BTEX concentrations from the modeling results. This new grid-scale modeling strategy, which incorporated the GIS output of the simulated data, provides a useful alternative tool for personal exposure analysis and health risk assessment of ambient air BTEX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Tsuen Hsieh
- Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yu Peng
- Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yu Chung
- Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Hsing Lai
- Environmental Engineering and Science, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shau-Ku Huang
- National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Lou-Hu Hospital, Shen-Zhen University, Shen-Zhen, China
| | - Chon-Lin Lee
- Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Aerosol Science Research Center (ASRC), National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Applied Chemistry, Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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18
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The Effectiveness of Urban Cycle Lanes: From Dyscrasias to Potential Solutions. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12062321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper studies the effectiveness of urban cycle lanes, with cycling being one of the most common practices for promoting sustainable mobility in urban areas. Despite a growing interest, the use of cycling in Italian cities has not gained a large consensus yet. Nevertheless, the presence and the extension of cycle lanes are considered as quantitative indicators for measuring the livability of cities. Actually, the lack in assessing the global quality of cycle networks asks for a major attention in the definition of these indicators. Starting from these considerations, the present study tries to propose a different approach to assess the real effectiveness of an urban cycle network. By defining some typological clusters of anomalies (dyscrasias) that can impede a safe and comfortable use of bicycles, the study achieves the definition of a method to evaluate the real effectiveness of an urban cycle lane. The case study of Naples represents a first trial both to check the method and to assess the state of the existing urban lane in order to verify its effectiveness.
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19
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Health Risk Assessment of the Levels of BTEX in Ambient Air of One Urban Site Located in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico during Two Climatic Seasons. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos11020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Levels of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene) were determined in ambient air of an urban site located at the center of Mexico (Leon City in Guanajuato State) during two climatic seasons of 2018 (summer and autumn). Ethylbenzene (11.86 µg m−3) and toluene (11.85 µg m−3) showed the highest median concentrations during the study period. BTEX concentrations did not show a diurnal pattern but a seasonal trend was observed for benzene and toluene at a significant level of α = 0.05. Bi-variate and multivariate analysis showed significant positive correlations (at α = 0.05) among BTEX (excepting benzene), indicating common sources for toluene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene and a different origin for benzene. A meteorological study was also conducted in order to determine the origin of air masses that could influence the BTEX concentrations in the study site. Finally, it was found that all BTEX species presented hazard quotient values (HQs) <1, indicating that there is no risk of non-cancer during the studied period. Lifetime cancer risk due to benzene exposure for the adult and child populations studied were estimated to be 7 in 1,000,000 and 1 in 100,000, respectively.
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20
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Latif MT, Abd Hamid HH, Ahamad F, Khan MF, Mohd Nadzir MS, Othman M, Sahani M, Abdul Wahab MI, Mohamad N, Uning R, Poh SC, Fadzil MF, Sentian J, Tahir NM. BTEX compositions and its potential health impacts in Malaysia. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 237:124451. [PMID: 31394440 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to determine the composition of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) and assess the risk to health at different sites in Malaysia. Continuous monitoring of BTEX in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Fraser Hill were conducted using Online Gas Chromatograph. For comparison, BTEX at selected hotspot locations were determined by active sampling method using sorbent tubes and Thermal Desorption Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. The hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic and the life-time cancer risk (LTCR) of BTEX were calculated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) health risk assessment (HRA) methods. The results showed that the highest total BTEX concentrations using continuous monitoring were recorded in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (49.56 ± 23.71 μg/m3). Toluene was the most dominant among the BTEX compounds. The average concentrations of benzene ranged from 0.69 ± 0.45 μg/m3 to 6.20 ± 3.51 μg/m3. Measurements using active sampling showed that BTEX concentrations dominated at the roadside (193.11 ± 114.57 μg/m3) in comparison to petrol station (73.08 ± 30.41 μg/m3), petrochemical industry (32.10 ± 13.13 μg/m3) and airport (25.30 ± 6.17 μg/m3). Strong correlations among BTEX compounds (p<0.01, r>0.7) at Kuala Lumpur City Centre showed that BTEX compounds originated from similar sources. The values of HQ at all stations were <1 indicating the non-carcinogenic risk are negligible and do not pose threats to human health. The LTCR value based on benzene inhalation (1.59 × 10-5) at Kuala Lumpur City Centre were between 1 × 10-4 and 1 × 10-5, representing a probable carcinogenic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Talib Latif
- School of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid
- School of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fatimah Ahamad
- Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Md Firoz Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir
- School of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre for Tropical Climate Change System, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Murnira Othman
- School of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mazrura Sahani
- Centre for Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Ikram Abdul Wahab
- Centre for Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noorlin Mohamad
- Environmental Research Group, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Royston Uning
- School of Environment and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Seng Chee Poh
- Environmental Research Group, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Fais Fadzil
- Environmental Research Group, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Justin Sentian
- Faculty Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Norhayati Md Tahir
- Environmental Research Group, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
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Garg A, Gupta NC. A comprehensive study on spatio-temporal distribution, health risk assessment and ozone formation potential of BTEX emissions in ambient air of Delhi, India. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 659:1090-1099. [PMID: 31096324 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The hazardous air pollutants like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are considered as toxic because of their role in ozone formation and adverse effects on human health. Owing to this, the present study was carried out at six spatially distributed sites in Delhi from November 2017- June 2018. Activated charcoal tubes were used to collect samples of BTEX and were further analyzed using GC-FID. The minimum BTEX concentration was found at institutional site (9.94 μg/m3) and maximum at roadside site (103.12 μg/m3) with the average of 46.66 μg/m3. Also, the levels of BTEX were 1.18-1.74 times higher during rush hours as compared to non-rush hours. The high T/B ratio (2.26-3.41) observed is the indication of the traffic-originated sources of emission. The cancer risks calculated for benzene at probability 0.50 ranged as 1.29E-06 - 1.80E-05, whereas 4.09E-06 - 3.40E-05 at probability 0.95, which were higher than the acceptable value of 1.0E-06. The non-cancer health risks in terms of hazard index were observed less than unity i.e. within acceptable limit. The total ozone formation potential (OFP) was obtained as 207.51 ± 123.40 μg/m3 with maximum potential by toluene. Such high levels of BTEX, cancer risks and OFP obtained in the study especially at roadside and connectivity hub are harmful for people residing near these areas, and also to large commuters, who are exposed to such emissions during travelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchal Garg
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector- 16 C, Dwarka, New Delhi 110078, India
| | - N C Gupta
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector- 16 C, Dwarka, New Delhi 110078, India.
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22
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Barros N, Carvalho M, Silva C, Fontes T, Prata JC, Sousa A, Manso MC. Environmental and biological monitoring of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) exposure in residents living near gas stations. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2019; 82:550-563. [PMID: 31266404 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2019.1634380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The volatile organic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) are emitted into the atmosphere at gas stations (GS) leading to chronic exposure of nearby residents, which raises public health concerns. This study aimes at determining the contribution of GS emissions to BTEX exposure in nearby residents. Three Control and Exposed areas to BTEX emissions from GS were defined in a medium-sized European city (Porto, Portugal). BTEX atmospheric levels were determined in Control and Exposed areas using passive samplers deployed outdoors (n = 48) and indoors (n = 36), and human exposure was estimated for 119 non-smoking residents using the first urine of the day. Results showed that median BTEX outdoor and indoor concentrations were significantly higher for Exposed than Control areas, with exception of ethylbenzene and xylene indoor concentrations, where no marked differences were found. Comparison of urinary concentrations between Exposed and Control residents demonstrated no significant differences for benzene and ethylbenzene, whereas levels of toluene and xylene were significantly higher in Exposed residents. No marked correlation was obtained between atmospheric BTEX concentrations and urinary concentrations. Data indicate the potential impact on air quality of BTEX emissions from GS, which confirms the importance of these findings in urban planning in order to minimize the impact on health and well-being of surrounding populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Barros
- a FP-ENAS - UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
- b Science and Technology Faculty, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
| | - Márcia Carvalho
- a FP-ENAS - UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
- c UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
- d Health Sciences Faculty, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
| | - Cláudia Silva
- a FP-ENAS - UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
- d Health Sciences Faculty, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
| | - Tânia Fontes
- e INESC TEC - INESC Technology and Science , Porto , Portugal
| | - Joana C Prata
- a FP-ENAS - UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
- f Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro , Aveiro , Portugal
| | - André Sousa
- a FP-ENAS - UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
| | - M Conceição Manso
- a FP-ENAS - UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
- d Health Sciences Faculty, University Fernando Pessoa , Porto , Portugal
- g LAQV-REQUIMTE, University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
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23
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El-Hashemy MA, Ali HM. Characterization of BTEX group of VOCs and inhalation risks in indoor microenvironments at small enterprises. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 645:974-983. [PMID: 30248884 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of BTEX group (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) were measured in indoor and outdoor environments at four printing shops and two photocopy centers in Sakaka city, KSA. Fifty four BTEX samples were collected using passive diffusion monitors (SKC VOC 575) and analyzed by GC-MS. The results showed that toluene was the most prevailing compound within the BTEX group and its indoor levels were much higher than outdoor. The average indoor concentrations (μg/m3) ranged from 2.45 to 14.66, 81.59 to 955.65, 11.19 to 97.35, 35.66 to 291.88 and 3.90 to 28.39 for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xylene and o-xylene, respectively. The indoor/outdoor ratios of concentrations of BTEX species were more than one in most cases, indicating the effect of indoor emission sources. Based on (Toluene/Benzene) ratios, all sites were affected by the traffic emissions. Ventilation efficiency, ink type and outdoor pollutant concentration are responsible for results disparity. Cancer and non-cancer risks were assessed in the indoor environments by calculating the lifetime cancer risk (LCR) and hazard ratio (HR), respectively. For benzene and ethylbenzene measured concentrations, LCR values were more than the acceptable USEPA risk level of 1 × 10-6. HR values for BTEX species were in general lower than the threshold limit of one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A El-Hashemy
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia; Air Pollution Research Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, 12622, Egypt.
| | - Hazim M Ali
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia; Forensic Chemistry Department, Forensic Medicine Authority, Egypt
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Pure and M-doped (M=Zn, Cu, Ni, Co) cadmium oxide nanosheets, novel adsorbents for the adsorption of ethyl benzene and ortho, meta, para xylene: a theoretical study. ADSORPTION 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10450-018-9986-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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25
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The Concentration of BTEX in the Air of Tehran: A Systematic Review-Meta Analysis and Risk Assessment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15091837. [PMID: 30149596 PMCID: PMC6163851 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
In the current study, the concentration of some pollutants which are categorized as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E), and o-xylenes (o-X), in the air of Tehran was evaluated by the aid of a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Also, the health risk for the exposed population was estimated using the recommended methods by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rank order based on their concentration in BTEX was benzene (149.18 µg/m3: 31%) > o-xylene (127.16 µg/m3: 27%) > ethylbenzene (110.15 µg/m3: 23%) > toluene (87.97 µg/m3: 19%). The ratio B/T in this study was calculated as 1.69, repressing that both stationary and mobile sources of emission can be considered as the main sources for benzene and toluene. Moreover, strong photochemical activity in Tehran was demonstrated by the high ratio of E/o-X. Meta-regression indicates that the concentration of BTEX has insignificantly (p-value > 0.05) increased over time. The BTEX compounds based on the target hazard quotient (THQ) were ordered as benzene > o-xylene > ethylbenzene > toluene. Percentile 95% of THQ due to benzene (4.973) and o-xylene (1.272) was higher than a value of 1. Percentile 95% excessive cancer risk (ECR) for benzene (1.25 × 106) and ethylbenzene (1.11 × 106) was higher than a value of 1.00 × 106. The health risk assessment indicated that the population of Tehran are at considerable non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks.
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26
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Phuc NH, Kim Oanh NT. Determining factors for levels of volatile organic compounds measured in different microenvironments of a heavy traffic urban area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 627:290-303. [PMID: 29426152 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The levels of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) in a congested urban area of Hanoi were characterized in a winter and a transitional period in 2015. Monitoring was conducted at two roads simultaneously with traffic flows and one ambient site together with meteorology. Hourly and bi-hourly BTEX samples collected using charcoal tubes were analyzed by GC-FID. BTEX levels in winter, 131 ± 71 μg/m3 in heavy traffic Truong Chinh (TC) road, 101 ± 29 μg/m3 in small residential Nguyen Ngoc Nai (NN) road, and 30 ± 15 μg/m3 in the ambient air site (AA, about 150 m from each road) were 1.3-2.1 times higher than the respective levels in the transitional period. Hourly benzene levels exceeded the Vietnam national standard more frequently at TC (45%) than at NN (32%) and least at AA (5%) out of 120-180 measurements, respectively. Roadside hourly levels well reflected the diurnal traffic flow pattern and higher BTEX levels were measured at TC than NN. The ambient site exhibited lower BTEX levels and different diurnal patterns, with more pronounced evening peaks than morning rush hour peaks. BTEX pollution rose showed a strong influence of wind to levels measured at AA. Species ratios (T/B and X/E) showed typical ranges for traffic emissions at roadsides. Ratios for AA and NN after midnight with no vehicles operating showed the aging effects with typical low X/E ratios. Multivariate analysis results suggested association of gasoline vehicles with BTEX at roadsides. Backward trajectory analysis indicated potential regional transport of long-lived benzene associated with continental airmass categories. BTEX at TC our study were 2-3 times lower for every species compared to those previously reported, showing results of fuel quality and vehicle technologies improvement. Health risks of people working at the roadside also reduced by about 3 times during the 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Hong Phuc
- Environmental Engineering and Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
| | - Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh
- Environmental Engineering and Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.
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Carlsen L, Bruggemann R, Kenessov B. Use of partial order in environmental pollution studies demonstrated by urban BTEX air pollution in 20 major cities worldwide. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 610-611:234-243. [PMID: 28803199 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Urban air pollution with benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes (BTEX) is a common phenomenon in major cities where the pollution mainly originates from traffic as well as from residential heating. An attempt to rank cities according to their BTEX air pollution is not necessarily straight forward as we are faced with several individual pollutants simultaneously. A typical procedure is based on aggregation of data for the single compounds, a process that not only hides important information but is also subject to compensation effects. The present study applies a series of partial ordering tools to circumvent the aggregation. Based on partial ordering, most important indicators are disclosed, and an average ranking of the cities included in the study is derived. Since air pollution measurements are often subject to significant uncertainties, special attention has been given to the possible effect of uncertainty and/or data noise. Finally, the effect of introducing weight regimes is studied. In a concluding section the gross national income per person (GNI) is brought into play, demonstrating a positive correlation between BTEX air pollution and GNI. The results are discussed in terms of the ability/willingness to combat air pollution in the cities studied. The present study focuses on Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan and compares the data from Almaty to another 19 major cities around the world. It is found that the benzene for Almaty appears peculiar high. Overall Almaty appears ranked as the 8th most BTEX polluted city among the 20 cities included in the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Carlsen
- Awareness Center, Linkøpingvej 35, Trekroner, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Rainer Bruggemann
- Leibniz - Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department Ecohydrology, Müggelseedamm 310, D-12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bulat Kenessov
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Center of Physical Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis, Almaty, Kazakhstan
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28
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Yousefi SM, Shemirani F, Ghorbanian SA. Enhanced headspace single drop microextraction method using deep eutectic solvent based magnetic bucky gels: Application to the determination of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in water and urine samples. J Sep Sci 2017; 41:966-974. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201700807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Mahboobeh Yousefi
- Department of Analytical Chemistry; Faculty of Chemistry, University College of Science; University of Tehran; Tehran Iran
| | - Farzaneh Shemirani
- Department of Analytical Chemistry; Faculty of Chemistry, University College of Science; University of Tehran; Tehran Iran
| | - Sohrab Ali Ghorbanian
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering; School of Engineering; University of Tehran; Tehran Iran
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29
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Raysoni AU, Stock TH, Sarnat JA, Chavez MC, Sarnat SE, Montoya T, Holguin F, Li WW. Evaluation of VOC concentrations in indoor and outdoor microenvironments at near-road schools. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 231:681-693. [PMID: 28850936 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A 14-week air quality study, characterizing the indoor and outdoor concentrations of 18 VOCs at four El Paso, Texas elementary schools, was conducted in Spring 2010. Three schools were in an area of high traffic density and the fourth school, considered as a background school, was situated in an area affected minimally by stationary and mobile sources of air pollution. Passive samplers were deployed for monitoring and analyzed by GC/MS. Differences in the concentration profiles of the BTEX species between the high and low traffic density schools confirmed the pre-defined exposure patterns. Toluene was the predominant compound within the BTEX group and the 96-hr average outdoor concentrations varied from 1.16 to 4.25 μg/m3 across the four schools. Outdoor BTEX species were strongly correlated with each other (0.63 < r < 1.00, p < 0.05) suggesting a common source: vehicular traffic emissions. As expected, the strength of the associations between these compounds was more intense at each of the three high-exposure schools in contrast to the low-exposure school. This was further corroborated by the results obtained from the BTEX inter-species ratios (toluene: benzene and m, p- xylenes: ethylbenzene). Certain episodic events during the study period resulted in very elevated concentrations of some VOCs such as n-pentane. Indoor concentration of compounds with known indoor sources such as α -pinene, d-limonene, p-dichlorobenzene, and chloroform were generally higher than their corresponding outdoor concentrations. Cleaning agents, furniture polishes, materials used in arts and crafts activities, hot-water usage, and deodorizing cakes used in urinal pots were the likely major sources for these high indoor concentrations. Finally, retrospective assessment of average ambient BTEX concentrations over the last twenty years suggest a gradual decrement in this border region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit U Raysoni
- Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - Thomas H Stock
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeremy A Sarnat
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mayra C Chavez
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Stefanie Ebelt Sarnat
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Teresa Montoya
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Fernando Holguin
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Wen-Whai Li
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
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30
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Collarile P, Bidoli E, Barbone F, Zanier L, Del Zotto S, Fuser S, Stel F, Panato C, Gallai I, Serraino D. Residence in Proximity of a Coal-Oil-Fired Thermal Power Plant and Risk of Lung and Bladder Cancer in North-Eastern Italy. A Population-Based Study: 1995-2009. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14080860. [PMID: 28788106 PMCID: PMC5580564 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14080860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the risk of lung and bladder cancers in people residing in proximity of a coal-oil-fired thermal power plant in an area of north-eastern Italy, covered by a population-based cancer registry. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) by sex, age, and histology were computed according to tertiles of residential exposure to benzene, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particular matter, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) among 1076 incident cases of lung and 650 cases of bladder cancers. In men of all ages and in women under 75 years of age, no significant associations were observed. Conversely, in women aged ≥75 years significantly increased risks of lung and bladder cancers were related to high exposure to benzene (IRR for highest vs. lowest tertile: 2.00 for lung cancer and 1.94 for bladder cancer) and NO2 (IRR: 1.72 for lung cancer; and 1.94 for bladder cancer). In these women, a 1.71-fold higher risk of lung cancer was also related to a high exposure to SO2. Acknowledging the limitations of our study, in particular that we did not have information regarding cigarette smoking habits, the findings of this study indicate that air pollution exposure may have had a role with regard to the risk of lung and bladder cancers limited to women aged ≥75 years. Such increased risk warrants further analytical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Collarile
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy.
| | - Ettore Bidoli
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy.
| | - Fabio Barbone
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy.
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
| | - Loris Zanier
- Epidemiologic Service, Regional Health Directorate of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33100 Udine, Italy.
| | - Stefania Del Zotto
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy.
| | - Simonetta Fuser
- Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33057 Palmanova (UD), Italy.
| | - Fulvio Stel
- Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33057 Palmanova (UD), Italy.
| | - Chiara Panato
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy.
| | - Irene Gallai
- Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33057 Palmanova (UD), Italy.
| | - Diego Serraino
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy.
- Friuli Venezia Giulia Cancer Registry, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy.
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31
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Siqueira CYDS, Lemos MVP, Araujo BCDC, Oliveira RDRPED, San Gil RADS, Aquino Neto FRD. Atmospheric distribution of organic compounds from urban areas near Olympic games sites in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Microchem J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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32
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Indoor Air Quality Assessment and Study of Different VOC Contributions within a School in Taranto City, South of Italy. ENVIRONMENTS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/environments4010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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33
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Miri M, Rostami Aghdam Shendi M, Ghaffari HR, Ebrahimi Aval H, Ahmadi E, Taban E, Gholizadeh A, Yazdani Aval M, Mohammadi A, Azari A. Investigation of outdoor BTEX: Concentration, variations, sources, spatial distribution, and risk assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 163:601-609. [PMID: 27589149 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to measure BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) concentrations in the ambient air of Tehran, the capital of Iran, and investigate their seasonal variations, probable sources, spatial mapping, and risk assessment. The concentrations of BTEX were measured using a continuous monitoring device installed in seven stations around the city. Spatial mapping procedure was conducted using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method. Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks imposed by BTEX. The highest and lowest annual mean concentrations of toluene and ethylbenzene were recorded as 16.25 and 3.63 μg m(-3), respectively. The maximum (6.434) and minimum (3.209) toluene/benzene (T/B) ratio was observed in summer and winter, respectively. The spatial distribution of BTEX pollution indicated that the highest concentrations were found along the major roads because of heavy traffic. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and concentration ratios showed that BTEX were produced by the multiemission sources. The mean of inhalation lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) for benzene was 3.93 × 10(-7), which is lower than the limits recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The hazard quotient (HQ), noncarcinogenic risk index, for all BTEX compounds was <1. The obtained results showed no threat of BTEX concentrations to human health. However, as the concentrations of BTEX will increase due to the rapid growth of vehicles and industrial activities, much effort is required to control and manage the levels of these compounds in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Miri
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran; Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Maryam Rostami Aghdam Shendi
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Ghaffari
- Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Ebrahimi Aval
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Taban
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Gholizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohsen Yazdani Aval
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Azari
- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Singh P, Ojha A, Borthakur A, Singh R, Lahiry D, Tiwary D, Mishra PK. Emerging trends in photodegradation of petrochemical wastes: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:22340-22364. [PMID: 27566154 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7373-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Various human activities like mining and extraction of mineral oils have been used for the modernization of society and well-beings. However, the by-products such as petrochemical wastes generated from such industries are carcinogenic and toxic, which had increased environmental pollution and risks to human health several folds. Various methods such as physical, chemical and biological methods have been used to degrade these pollutants from wastewater. Advance oxidation processes (AOPs) are evolving techniques for efficient sequestration of chemically stable and less biodegradable organic pollutants. In the present review, photocatalytic degradation of petrochemical wastes containing monoaromatic and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons has been studied using various heterogeneous photocatalysts (such as TiO2, ZnO and CdS. The present article seeks to offer a scientific and technical overview of the current trend in the use of the photocatalyst for remediation and degradation of petrochemical waste depending upon the recent advances in photodegradation of petrochemical research using bibliometric analysis. We further outlined the effect of various heterogeneous catalysts and their ecotoxicity, various degradation pathways of petrochemical wastes, the key regulatory parameters and the reactors used. A critical analysis of the available literature revealed that TiO2 is widely reported in the degradation processes along with other semiconductors/nanomaterials in visible and UV light irradiation. Further, various degradation studies have been carried out at laboratory scale in the presence of UV light. However, further elaborative research is needed for successful application of the laboratory scale techniques to pilot-scale operation and to develop environmental friendly catalysts which support the sustainable treatment technology with the "zero concept" of industrial wastewater. Nevertheless, there is a need to develop more effective methods which consume less energy and are more efficient in pilot scale for the demineralization of pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pardeep Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India.
- Department of Environmental Studies, PGDAV College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110068, India.
| | - Ankita Ojha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Anwesha Borthakur
- Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Rishikesh Singh
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development (IESD), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - D Lahiry
- Rajghat Education Centre, KFI, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Dhanesh Tiwary
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Mishra
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Varanasi, 221005, India
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Baimatova N, Kenessov B, Koziel JA, Carlsen L, Bektassov M, Demyanenko OP. Simple and accurate quantification of BTEX in ambient air by SPME and GC–MS. Talanta 2016; 154:46-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Hazrati S, Rostami R, Fazlzadeh M. BTEX in indoor air of waterpipe cafés: Levels and factors influencing their concentrations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 524-525:347-53. [PMID: 25912530 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) concentrations, factors affecting their levels, and the exposure risks related to these compounds were studied in waterpipe (Ghalyun/Hookah) cafés of Ardabil city in Islamic Republic of Iran. 81 waterpipe cafés from different districts of Ardabil city were selected and their ambient air was monitored for BTEX compounds. Air samples were taken from standing breathing zone of employees, ~150 cm above the ground level, and were analyzed using GC-FID. In each case, the types of smoked tobacco (regular, fruit flavored), types of ventilation systems (natural/artificial), and the floor level at which the café was located were investigated. A high mean concentration of 4.96±2.63 mg/m(3) corresponding to long term exposure to benzene-related cancer risk of 4314×10(-6) was estimated. The levels of the remaining compounds were lower than the national guideline limits, but their hazard quotients (HQ) for long term exposure to ethylbenzene (1.15) and xylene (17.32) exceeded the HQ unit value. Total hazard indices (HI) of 63.23 were obtained for non-cancer risks. Type of the smoked tobacco was the most important factor influencing BTEX concentrations in the cafés. BTEX concentrations in indoor ambient air of Ardabil waterpipe cafés were noticeably high, and therefore may pose important risks for human health on both short and long term exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadegh Hazrati
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Roohollah Rostami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mehdi Fazlzadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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Bolden AL, Kwiatkowski CF, Colborn T. New Look at BTEX: Are Ambient Levels a Problem? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:5261-76. [PMID: 25873211 DOI: 10.1021/es505316f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) are retrieved during fossil fuel extraction and used as solvents in consumer and industrial products, as gasoline additives, and as intermediates in the synthesis of organic compounds for many consumer products. Emissions from the combustion of gasoline and diesel fuels are the largest contributors to atmospheric BTEX concentrations. However, levels indoors (where people spend greater than 83% of their time) can be many times greater than outdoors. In this review we identified epidemiological studies assessing the noncancer health impacts of ambient level BTEX exposure (i.e., nonoccupational) and discussed how the health conditions may be hormonally mediated. Health effects significantly associated with ambient level exposure included sperm abnormalities, reduced fetal growth, cardiovascular disease, respiratory dysfunction, asthma, sensitization to common antigens, and more. Several hormones including estrogens, androgens, glucocorticoids, insulin, and serotonin may be involved in these health outcomes. This analysis suggests that all four chemicals may have endocrine disrupting properties at exposure levels below reference concentrations (i.e., safe levels) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These data should be considered when evaluating the use of BTEX in consumer and industrial products and indicates a need to change how chemicals present at low concentrations are assessed and regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Bolden
- †The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), Paonia, Colorado 81428, United States
| | - Carol F Kwiatkowski
- †The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), Paonia, Colorado 81428, United States
- ‡Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Theo Colborn
- †The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX), Paonia, Colorado 81428, United States
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Masiol M, Agostinelli C, Formenton G, Tarabotti E, Pavoni B. Thirteen years of air pollution hourly monitoring in a large city: potential sources, trends, cycles and effects of car-free days. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 494-495:84-96. [PMID: 25037047 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.06.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Thirteen air pollutant concentrations were measured hourly for 13 years (2000-2013) at an urban background site of a large city in the eastern Po Valley (Italy) and results were chemometrically analysed. The pollutant list includes CO, NO, NO2, NOx, O3, SO2, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m- and p-xylenes and PM10, all known or suspected of having adverse effects on human health. The hourly data were statistically processed to detect the long-term trends in relation to the changes in the emission scenarios occurred in the last decade. The most probable emission sources and atmospheric photochemical processes were investigated by analyzing the seasonal, weekly, diurnal cycles of pollutants and the lagged correlations amongst pollutants. The role of micro-meteorological factors upon the air quality was assessed by analyzing the relationships with key weather parameters, while the location of the potential sources was studied by matching atmospheric circulation and pollution data through bivariate polar plots and conditional probability functions. In addition, a new statistical procedure is presented and tested to analyze the periods when common mitigation measures were adopted in the city (e.g., the total stop of traffic and car-free days) and to evaluate their real effect upon the air quality. By providing direct information on the levels and trends of key pollutants, this study finally enables some general considerations about air pollution in an important hotspot of Southern Europe, the eastern Po Valley, where the levels of some key pollutants are still far from meeting the EC limit and target values. It may help policy-makers to take successful mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Masiol
- Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Dorsoduro 2137, 30123 Venice, Italy.
| | - Claudio Agostinelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Dorsoduro 2137, 30123 Venice, Italy
| | - Gianni Formenton
- Dipartimento Regionale Laboratori-Sede Operativa di Padova, Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e Protezione Ambientale del Veneto, Via Ospedale Civile 22, 35121 Padova, Italy
| | - Enzo Tarabotti
- Dipartimento Provinciale di Venezia, Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e Protezione Ambientale del Veneto, Via Lissa 6, 30174 Mestre, Italy
| | - Bruno Pavoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Dorsoduro 2137, 30123 Venice, Italy
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Lerner JEC, Kohajda T, Aguilar ME, Massolo LA, Sánchez EY, Porta AA, Opitz P, Wichmann G, Herbarth O, Mueller A. Improvement of health risk factors after reduction of VOC concentrations in industrial and urban areas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:9676-9688. [PMID: 24788932 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2904-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
After reductions of fugitive and diffuse emissions by an industrial complex, a follow-up study was performed to determine the time variability of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the lifetime cancer risk (LCR). Passive samplers (3 M monitors) were placed outdoors (n = 179) and indoors (n = 75) in industrial, urban, and control areas for 4 weeks. Twenty-five compounds including n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and terpenes were determined by GC/MS. The results show a significant decrease of all VOCs, especially in the industrial area and to a lesser extent in the urban area. The median outdoor concentration of benzene in the industrial area declined compared to the former study, around 85% and about 50% in the urban area, which in the past was strongly influenced by industrial emissions. Other carcinogenic compounds like styrene and tetrachloroethylene were reduced to approximately 60%. VOC concentrations in control areas remained nearly unchanged. According to the determined BTEX ratios and interspecies correlations, in contrast to the previous study, traffic was identified as the main emission source in the urban and control areas and showed an increased influence in the industrial area. The LCR, calculated for benzene, styrene, and tetrachloroethylene, shows a decrease of one order of magnitude in accordance to the decreased total VOC concentrations and is now acceptable according to values proposed by the World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Esteban Colman Lerner
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, CIMA-Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
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Indoor and outdoor monitoring of volatile organic compounds in school buildings: indicators based on health risk assessment to single out critical issues. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:6273-91. [PMID: 24287852 PMCID: PMC3881113 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10126273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Children are more sensitive to pollutants than adults and yet they spend large amounts of time in school environments where they are exposed to unknown levels of indoor pollutants. This study investigated the concentrations of the most abundant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in eight naturally ventilated school buildings in Italy. The schools were chosen to include areas with different urbanization and traffic density characteristics in order to gather a more diverse picture of exposure risks in the different areas of the city. VOCs were sampled for one week in the presence/absence of pupils using diffusive samplers suitable for thermal desorption inside three classrooms at each school. The samples were then analyzed with thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). In addition, outdoor measurements were carried out in the yard at each school. VOC identification and quantification, and indoor/outdoor concentration plots were used to identify pollutant sources. While some classrooms were found to have very low VOC levels, others had a significant indoor contribution or a prevalent outdoor contribution. High concentrations of terpenes were found in all monitored classrooms: α-pinene and limonene were in the range of 6.55–34.18 µg/m3 and 11.11–25.42 µg/m3 respectively. Outdoor concentrations were lower than indoors for each monitored school. Indicators based on health risk assessment for chronic health effects associated with VOCs (either carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic) were proposed to rank sites according to their hazard level.
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Olszowski T, Kłos A. The impact of candle burning during All Saints' Day ceremonies on ambient alkyl-substituted benzene concentrations. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 91:588-594. [PMID: 24052143 PMCID: PMC3824304 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-013-1104-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Research findings concerning benzene, toluene, ethylobenzene, meta-, para- and ortho-xylene as well as styrene (BTEXS) emission at public cemeteries during All Saints' Day are presented here. Tests were carried out at town-located cemeteries in Opole and Grodków (southern Poland) and, as a benchmark, at the centres of those same towns. The purpose of the study was to estimate BTEXS emissions caused by the candle burning and, equally important to examine, whether emissions generated by the tested sources were similar to the BTEXS emissions generated by road transport. During the festive period, significant increases in benzene concentrations, by 200 % and 144 %, were noted at the cemeteries in Opole and Grodków, as well as in toluene, by 366 % and 342 %, respectively. Styrene concentrations also increased. It was demonstrated that the ratio of toluene to benzene concentrations from emissions caused by the burning candles are comparable to the ratio established for transportation emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Olszowski
- Department of Thermal Engineering and Industrial Facilities, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Opole University of Technology, Mikołajczyka 5, 45-271 Opole, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kłos
- Chair of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Opole University, kard. B. Kominka 4, 45-032 Opole, Poland
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Vlachokostas C, Michailidou AV, Spyridi D, Moussiopoulos N. Building statistical associations to forecast ethylbenzene levels in European urban-traffic environments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 177:125-134. [PMID: 23500049 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Emission from road traffic has become the most important source of local air pollution in numerous European cities. Epidemiological research community has established consistent associations between traffic-related substances and various health outcomes. Nevertheless, the vast majority of urban areas are characterised by infrastructure's absence to routinely monitor chemical health stressors, such as ethylbenzene. This paper aims at developing and presenting a tractable approach to reliably - and inexpensively - predict ethylbenzene trends in EU urban environments. The establishment of empirical relationships between rarely monitored pollutants such as ethylbenzene and more frequently or usually monitored, such as benzene and CO respectively, may cover the infrastructure's absence and support decision-making. Multiple regression analysis is adopted and the resulting statistical associations are applied to EU cities with available data for validation purposes. The results demonstrate that this approach is capable of capturing ethylbenzene concentration trends and should be considered as complementary to air quality monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ch Vlachokostas
- Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Environmental Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Box 483, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Astel AM, Giorgini L, Mistaro A, Pellegrini I, Cozzutto S, Barbieri P. Urban BTEX Spatiotemporal Exposure Assessment by Chemometric Expertise. WATER, AIR, AND SOIL POLLUTION 2013; 224:1503. [PMID: 23576825 PMCID: PMC3618885 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-013-1503-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Normative regulations on benzene in fuels and urban management strategies are expected to improve air quality. The present study deals with the application of self-organizing maps (SOMs) in order to explore the spatiotemporal variations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene levels in an urban atmosphere. Temperature, wind speed, and concentration values of these four volatile organic compounds were measured after passive sampling at 21 different sampling sites located in the city of Trieste (Italy) in the framework of a multi-year long-term monitoring program. SOM helps in defining pollution patterns and changes in the urban context, showing clear improvements for what concerns benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene concentrations in air for the 2001-2008 timeframe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Maria Astel
- Biology and Environmental Protection Institute, Pomeranian University, 22a Arciszewskiego Str., 76-200 Słupsk, Poland
| | - Luigi Giorgini
- Department and Laboratory of Trieste, A.R.P.A.-F.V.G., Via La Marmora 13, 34100 Trieste, Italy
- ARCO Solutions srl, Via Giorgieri, 1, Trieste, 34127 Italy
| | - Andrea Mistaro
- Department and Laboratory of Trieste, A.R.P.A.-F.V.G., Via La Marmora 13, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Italo Pellegrini
- Department and Laboratory of Trieste, A.R.P.A.-F.V.G., Via La Marmora 13, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - Sergio Cozzutto
- D.S.C.F., University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- ARCO Solutions srl, Via Giorgieri, 1, Trieste, 34127 Italy
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Amodio M, de Gennaro G, Marzocca A, Trizio L, Tutino M. Assessment of impacts produced by anthropogenic sources in a little city near an important industrial area (Modugno, Southern Italy). ScientificWorldJournal 2013; 2013:150397. [PMID: 23476120 PMCID: PMC3582101 DOI: 10.1155/2013/150397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An annual monitoring campaign of VOCs, consisting of twelve sampling periods, was carried out from June 2008 to June 2009 in Modugno, a city located in the Apulia region (Southern Italy), in order to assess the urban air quality, identify the main emission sources, and quantify the cancer and no-cancer risk attributable to inhalation exposures. Monitoring, carried out by using the Radiello diffusive samplers, was conducted in eleven sampling sites throughout the city taking into account the traffic density and the architecture of the city. From the study of the data, it was found that, among all considered VOCs, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) are the pollutants at higher concentration. The analysis of VOC concentrations, the study of the topography of the city, and the use of different diagnostic ratios between the BTEX species showed that the vehicular traffic emissions were the predominant source of VOCs in the urban area of Modugno. Despite that the annual concentration of benzene is lower than the regulatory limit, the estimation of cancer risk showed that the global lifetime cancer risk attributed to the investigated VOC exposure was not negligible and therefore should be taken into account in future regulatory approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martino Amodio
- LEnviroS srl, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi de Gennaro
- LEnviroS srl, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Marzocca
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Livia Trizio
- LEnviroS srl, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Tutino
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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45
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Barzyk TM, Ciesielski A, Shores RC, Thoma ED, Seila RL, Isakov V, Baldauf RW. Near-road multipollutant profiles: associations between volatile organic compounds and a tracer gas surrogate near a busy highway. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2012; 62:594-603. [PMID: 22696809 DOI: 10.1080/10473289.2012.656819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This research characterizes associations between multiple pollutants in the near-road environment attributed to a roadway line source. It also examines the use of a tracer gas as a surrogate of mobile source pollutants. Air samples were collected in summa canisters along a 300 m transect normal to a highway in Raleigh, North Carolina for five sampling periods spanning four days. Samples were subsequently measured for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using an electron capture gas chromatograph. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was released from a finite line source adjacent to the roadway for two of the sampling periods, collected in the canisters and measured with the VOCs. Associations between each VOC, and between VOCs and the tracer, were quantified with Pearson correlation coefficients to assess the consistency of the multi-pollutant dispersion profiles, and assess the tracer as a potential surrogate for mobile source pollutants. As expected, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m,p- and o-xylenes (collectively, BTEX) show strong correlations between each other; further BTEX shows a strong correlation to SF6. Between 26 VOCs, correlation coefficients were greater than 0.8, and 14 VOCs had coefficients greater than 0.6 with the tracer gas. Even under non-downwind conditions, chemical concentrations had significant correlations with distance. Results indicate that certain VOCs are representative of a larger multi-pollutant mixture, and many VOCs are well-correlated with the tracer gas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Barzyk
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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Mahbub P, Goonetilleke A, Ayoko GA. Prediction of the wash-off of traffic related semi- and non-volatile organic compounds from urban roads under climate change influenced rainfall characteristics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2012; 213-214:83-92. [PMID: 22326825 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.01.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2011] [Revised: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Traffic generated semi- and non-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs and NVOCs) pose a serious threat to human and ecosystem health when washed off into receiving water bodies by stormwater. Climate change influenced rainfall characteristics makes the estimation of these pollutants in stormwater quite complex. The research study discussed in the paper developed a prediction framework for such pollutants under the dynamic influence of climate change on rainfall characteristics. It was established through principal component analysis (PCA) that the intensity and durations of low to moderate rain events induced by climate change mainly affect the wash-off of SVOCs and NVOCs from urban roads. The study outcomes were able to overcome the limitations of stringent laboratory preparation of calibration matrices by extracting uncorrelated underlying factors in the data matrices through systematic application of PCA and factor analysis (FA). Based on the initial findings from PCA and FA, the framework incorporated orthogonal rotatable central composite experimental design to set up calibration matrices and partial least square regression to identify significant variables in predicting the target SVOCs and NVOCs in four particulate fractions ranging from >300 to 1 μm and one dissolved fraction of <1 μm. For the particulate fractions in >300-1 μm range, similar distributions of predicted and observed concentrations of the target compounds from minimum to 75th percentile were achieved. The inter-event coefficient of variations for particulate fractions of >300-1 μm was 5-25%. The limited solubility of the target compounds in stormwater restricted the predictive capacity of the proposed method for the dissolved fraction of <1 μm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvez Mahbub
- School of Urban Development, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane 4001, Queensland, Australia.
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Guo S, Yang F, Tan J, Duan J. Nonmethane Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air of Hazy and Normal Days in Foshan, South China. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE 2012; 29:262-269. [PMID: 22493559 PMCID: PMC3313607 DOI: 10.1089/ees.2010.0421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A first study of nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) on hazy and normal days was performed in Foshan for providing deep insight into the local deteriorating air quality. Ethane, propane, i-pentane, ethene, propene, ethyne, benzene, and toluene were eight most abundant compounds, accounting for 71%-85% of total NMHCs. Most hydrocarbons showed much higher levels on hazy days than normal days together with hydrocarbon/ethyne ratios and diurnal variations, indicating hazy days are more dominated by vehicular emission. Correlation coefficients (R(2)) of ethane, propane, ethane, propene, benzene, and total NMHCs with ethyne were 0.62-0.83, indicating these compounds are mainly related to vehicular emission. R(2) analysis indicated that solvent usage is responsible for toluene and other aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., ethylbezene). Benzene/toluene (B/T) ratio was 0.44±0.23 during whole sampling periods, again indicating vehicular emission is the dominant source. Lower B/T ratio (0.30±0.14) on hazy days than that (0.58±0.21) on normal days suggested that solvent usage emitted toluene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songjun Guo
- School of Environment Studies, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Fumo Yang
- College of Earth Science, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jihua Tan
- College of Earth Science, Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingchun Duan
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
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48
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Gallego E, Roca FJ, Perales JF, Guardino X. Evaluation of the effect of different sampling time periods and ambient air pollutant concentrations on the performance of the Radiello diffusive sampler for the analysis of VOCs by TD-GC/MS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 13:2612-22. [PMID: 21829856 DOI: 10.1039/c1em10075k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The effect of different sampling exposure times and ambient air pollutant concentrations on the performance of Radiello® samplers for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is evaluated. Quadruplicate samples of Radiello® passive tubes were taken for 3, 4, 7 and 14 days. Samples were taken indoors during February and March 2010 and outdoors during July 2010 in La Canonja (Tarragona, Spain). The analysis was performed by automatic thermal desorption (ATD) coupled with capillary gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry detection (MS). The results show significant differences (t-test, p < 0.05) between the amounts of VOCs obtained from the sum of two short sampling periods and a single equivalent longer sampling period for 65% of all the data. 17% of the results show significantly larger amounts of pollutant in the sum of two short sampling periods. Back diffusion due to changes in concentrations together with saturation and competitive effects between the compounds during longer sampling periods could be responsible for these differences. The other 48% of the results that are different show significantly larger amounts in the single equivalent longer sampling period. The remaining 35% of the results do not show significant differences. Although significant differences are observed in the amount of several VOCs collected over two shorter sampling intervals compared to the amount collected during a single equivalent longer sampling period, the ratios obtained are very close to unity (between 0.7 and 1.2 in 75% of cases). We conclude that Radiello® passive samplers are useful tools if their limitations are taken into account and the manufacturer's recommendations are followed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gallego
- Laboratori del Centre de Medi Ambient, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (LCMA-UPC), Avda. Diagonal, 647, E 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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49
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Monitoring of volatile organic compounds in the cities of the metropolitan area of Bari (Italy). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proenv.2011.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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