Habitation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the aura of Agra the city of Taj Mahal

Abstract

When speaking about harm to the human body in the term of pollution, indoor pollution is equally harmful as the outdoor pollution. Volatile Organic Compounds contribute to the toxic oxidants which are harmful to the ecosystem, human health and atmosphere. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major group of air pollutants which play critical role in atmospheric chemistry. It contributes to toxic oxidants which are harmful to ecosystem human health and atmosphere. A sampling program was conducted to determine volatile organic compounds (VOCs) levels in the aura of the Agra (India) during day time and overnight between mid-September and mid-October 2010. Sampling sites were selected at residential area and industrial area in Agra. Samples were analyzed for benzene, toluene, ethylenebenzene and o-xylene. The day-and-night differences and day-to-day variations in the concentrations of four selected species were investigated and the effects of several factors such as metrological parameters, sources and transport characteristics on them, were studied. A back trajectory analysis showed that relatively higher levels of VOCs were related to long-range transport of pollutants from polluted area. The vertical motions of air masses also had a large impact on the variations of the level of VOCs.