Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a complex group of chemicals that pose a direct risk to human health. They also lead to the formation of other air pollution constituents, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground level ozone (O₃). The ambient air concentrations of 19 VOCs were measured using multi-day 24 h sampling at two urban sites and two rural sites in the area of Khon Kaen, Thailand. Results showed that most VOCs were at concentrations considered acceptable according to the 24 h average standards established by the Thai Pollution Control Department. The VOC acrolein, however, was detected at concentrations (0.69–1.15 μg/m3) in excess of the 24 h average standard (0.55 μg/m3). Two other VOCs, benzene and 1,3-butadiene, were also detected at elevated levels (1.73–2.75 and 0.18–0.40 μg/m3, respectively) that indicated the potential to exceed the 1-year average standard. VOC concentrations were highest in the urban market monitoring site, suggesting that vehicle exhaust and food preparation using cooking oil at high temperatures may have been potential sources of the elevated VOCs.
Highlights
Across Southeast Asia, air pollution is a major health problem, estimated to contribute to 5–12% of the total burden of disease, as measured by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the region [1]
The concentrations of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were similar among the monitored areas, suggesting these values are representative of regional ambient air quality
Emissions could result from the industrial source and anthropogenic activities and be affected by traffic sources; in particular, emissions from motor vehicles were the dominant source of VOC in the urban area [32], and vehicle exhaust emissions (35.59 percent gasoline exhaust, 9.93 percent diesel exhaust) were a major contributor, accounting for 45.52 percent of total VOCs [26]
Summary
Across Southeast Asia, air pollution is a major health problem, estimated to contribute to 5–12% of the total burden of disease, as measured by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the region [1]. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ) pollution has received notable attention in Thailand [2,3], less attention has been dedicated to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs, are both a health threat themselves and important precursors to PM2.5 and ground-level ozone (O3 ) [4,5]. VOC monitoring as part of routine air pollution monitoring in Thailand; to date, VOC monitoring remains limited in much of Thailand [6], with only a subset of VOCs measured at specific air monitoring sites. Monitoring VOCs is important because VOCs negatively impact human health via multiple pathways.
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