Variations in emission rates from solvent use in the residential sector: the case of Greece

Abstract

Solvent use is the second most significant source of anthropogenic non-methane volatile organic compound emissions in Europe, as well as in Greece, the residential solvent use being the second most important source of solvent emissions. The methodology used so far in Greece and other countries for estimating residential solvent emissions adopts literature-proposed average per person emission factors and population data. The methodology developed in this work involves the determination of solvent-containing product groups and the solvent content of products, along with the collection, evaluation and elaboration of a large amount of statistical data concerning the domestic supply of products consumed in the residential sector. The emission calculations are performed on the basis of the amount of the solvent-containing products consumed. Two hundred and sixty-six solvent-containing products used in the residential sector are classified into five groups and 24 sub-categories of similar products and an extensive field survey is carried out in order to determine the solvent content of the products. Time series of total emissions for the period 1995–2007 indicate that there is an increasing trend of total residential solvent emissions in Greece. Cosmetics, do it yourself and car care products are the most important emitting categories of residential solvent use. The resulted emission rates (expressed per capita and per year) are greater than those proposed in the literature and they approach in better way local characteristics, as well as their evolution. The methodology developed and the updated emissions rates could be useful in other counties of similar consumption behaviours, economic situation or climate conditions.