Abstract
Twenty-three atmospheric volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHHs) were detected in a typical urban area of Beijing, China from 24 August to 4 September, 2012. The mean and range in daily mass concentrations of the 23 VHHs were 30.53 and 13.45–76.33 µg/m3, respectively. Seven of those VHHs were controlled ozone-depleting substances in China, with a mean of 12.95 µg/m3, accounting for 42.43% of the total. Compared with other national and international cities, the concentrations of the selected 11 VHHs in this study were relatively higher. Dichloroethane had the highest mass concentration, followed by difluorochloromethane. Maxima of total VHHs occurred within the period 8:30–9:00 a.m., while minima occurred during 1:30–2:00 p.m. Source apportionment suggested that the main sources of VHHs in the study area were solvents usage and industrial processes, leakage of chlorofluorocarbons banks, refrigerants, and fumigant usage. Among the selected 7 VHHs, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene posed potential carcinogenic risks to exposed populations, while none of the selected 11 VHHs posed appreciable non-carcinogenic risks to exposed populations. The carcinogenic risks from atmospheric VHHs in Beijing are higher than in other Chinese cities, indicating that it is necessary to implement immediate control measures for atmospheric VHHs in Beijing.
Highlights
Volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHHs) in the atmosphere include ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as well as toxic and harmful volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHHs) (THVHHs; e.g., chlorobenzene, chloroform, and chloroethylene)
The daily average mass concentrations of CFCs, HCFCs, chloroalkanes, chloroalkenes, chlorinated benzenes, and bromohydrocarbons were 6.51, 5.55, 17.06, 0.63, 0.70, and 0.09 μg/m3, respectively, yielding percentages of 21.32%, 18.17%, 55.87%, 2.05%, 2.28%, and 0.31% of the total mass concentration of the 23 VHHs (Figure 2)
volatile organic organic compound compound (VOC) samples were collected with SUMMA canisters in a typical urban area of Beijing
Summary
Volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHHs) in the atmosphere include ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as well as toxic and harmful VHHs (THVHHs; e.g., chlorobenzene, chloroform, and chloroethylene). ODS could deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, enhancing the greenhouse effect [1], while THVHHs are generally irritating and corrosive, causing damage to human skin, liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, and the central nervous system [2,3,4]. Some species of VHHs identified in urban monitoring sites in Chinese cities pose a carcinogenic risk to exposed populations [12]. Given that the environmental management strategy in China is transitioning from “Passive Response” to “Active Prevention and Control”, control measures for VHHs should be emphasized to improve air quality. In order to formulate accurate prevention and control measures for protecting the stratospheric ozone layer and human health, it is necessary to study the characteristics and health risks of VHHs
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