A Spatial-Temporal Resolved Validation of Source Apportionment by Measurements of Ambient VOCs in Central China

Unlocking the secrets: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and their devastating effects on lung cancer

Lung cancer (LCs) is still a serious health problem globally, with many incidences attributed to environmental triggers such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a broad class of compounds that can be released via various sources, including industrial operations, automobile emissions, and indoor air pollution. VOC exposure has been linked to an elevated risk of lung cancer via multiple routes. These chemicals can be chemically converted into hazardous intermediate molecules, resulting in DNA damage and genetic alterations. VOCs can also cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and a breakdown in the cellular protective antioxidant framework, all of which contribute to the growth of lung cancer. Moreover, VOCs have been reported to alter critical biological reactions such as cell growth, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, leading to tumor development and metastasis. Epidemiological investigations have found a link between certain VOCs and a higher probability of LCs. Benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are some of the most well-researched VOCs, with comprehensive data confirming their cancer-causing potential. Nevertheless, the possible health concerns linked with many more VOCs and their combined use remain unknown, necessitating further research. Identifying the toxicological consequences of VOCs in LCs is critical for establishing focused preventative tactics and therapeutic strategies. Better legislation and monitoring mechanisms can limit VOC contamination in occupational and environmental contexts, possibly reducing the prevalence of LCs. Developing VOC exposure indicators and analyzing their associations with genetic susceptibility characteristics may also aid in early identification and targeted therapies.

Research progresses on VOCs emission investigations via surface and satellite observations in China

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important precursors of severe pollution of ozone (O₃) and secondary organic aerosols in China. Fully understanding the VOCs emission is crucial for making regulations to improve air quality. This study reviews the published studies on atmospheric VOCs concentration observations in China and observation-based estimation of China's VOCs emission strengths and emission source structures. The results reveal that direct sampling and stainless-steel-tank sampling are the most commonly used methods for online and offline observations in China, respectively. The GC-MS/FID is the most commonly used VOCs measuring instrument in China (in 60.8% of the studies we summarized). Numerous studies conducted observation campaigns in urban areas (76.2%) than in suburban (17.1%), rural (18.1%), and background areas (14.3%) in China. Moreover, observation sites are largely set in eastern China (83.8%). Though there are published studies reporting observation-based China's VOCs emission investigation, these kinds of studies are still limited, and gaps are found between the results of top-down investigation and bottom-up inventories of VOCs emissions in China. In order to enhance the observation-based VOCs emission investigations in China, this study suggests future improvements including: (1) development of VOCs detection techniques, (2) strengthening of atmospheric VOCs observations, (3) improvement of the accuracy of observation-based VOCs emission estimations, and (4) facilitation of better VOCs emission inventories in China.

Volatile organic compounds: A proinflammatory activator in autoimmune diseases

The etiopathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including pulmonary disease, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, has been linked to human exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in the environment. Chronic inflammation due to immune breakdown and malfunctioning of the immune system has been projected to play a major role in the initiation and progression of autoimmune disorders. Macrophages, major phagocytes involved in the regulation of chronic inflammation, are a major target of VOC. Excessive and prolonged activation of immune cells (T and B lymphocytes) and overexpression of the master pro-inflammatory constituents [cytokine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, together with other mediators (interleukin-6, interleukin-1, and interferon-gamma)] have been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory responses. The function and efficiency of the immune system resulting in immunostimulation and immunosuppression are a result of exogenous and endogenous factors. An autoimmune disorder is a by-product of the overproduction of these inflammatory mediators. Additionally, an excess of these toxicants helps in promoting autoimmunity through alterations in DNA methylation in CD4 T cells. The purpose of this review is to shed light on the possible role of VOC exposure in the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases.

Characteristics, sources and health risks assessment of VOCs in Zhengzhou, China during haze pollution season

Zhengzhou is one of the most haze-polluted cities in Central China with high organic carbon emission, which accounts for 15%-20% of particulate matter (PM_2.5) in winter and causes significantly adverse health effects. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the precursors of secondary PM_2.5 and O₃ formation. An investigation of characteristics, sources and health risks assessment of VOCs was carried out at the urban area of Zhengzhou from 1^st to 31^st December, 2019. The mean concentrations of total detected VOCs were 48.8 ± 23.0 ppbv. Alkanes (22.0 ± 10.4 ppbv), halocarbons (8.1 ± 3.9 ppbv) and aromatics (6.5 ± 3.9 ppbv) were the predominant VOC species, followed by alkenes (5.1 ± 3.3 ppbv), oxygenated VOCs (3.6 ± 1.8 ppbv), alkyne (3.5 ± 1.9, ppbv) and sulfide (0.5 ± 0.9 ppbv). The Positive Matrix Factorization model was used to identify and apportion VOCs sources. Five major sources of VOCs were identified as vehicular exhaust, industrial processes, combustion, fuel evaporation, and solvent use. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values of species were calculated. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of almost all air toxics increased during haze days. The total non-carcinogenic risks exceeded the acceptable ranges. Most VOC species posed no non-carcinogenic risk during three haze events. The carcinogenic risks of chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dibromoethane, benzyl chloride, hexachloro-1,3-butadiene, benzene and naphthalene were above the acceptable level (1.0  ×  10^-6) but below the tolerable risk level (1.0  ×  10^-4). Industrial emission was the major contributor to non-carcinogenic, and solvent use was the major contributor to carcinogenic risks.