Outdoor Volatile Organic Compounds Concentrations Research Articles

Source proximity and meteorological effects on residential outdoor VOCs in urban areas: Results from the Houston and Los Angeles RIOPA studies

Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured outside homes in Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA were characterized by the effects of source proximity and meteorological factors. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene (BTEX), methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE), tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were examined. Multiple stepwise regression analysis converged the best-fit models with predictors from meteorological conditions and the proximity to specific point, area, and mobile sources on the residential outdoor VOC concentrations. Negative associations of wind speed with concentrations demonstrated the effect of dilution by high wind speed. Atmospheric stability increase was associated with concentration increase. Petrochemical source proximity was a significant predictor for BTEX and MTBE concentrations in Houston. Ethylbenzene and xylene source proximity was a significant predictor in Los Angeles. Close proximity to area sources such as scrap metal recycling or dry cleaning facilities increased the MTBE, PCE, and CCl4 concentrations in Houston and Los Angeles. Models for ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, and MTBE in Houston, and benzene in Los Angeles explained that for the median values of the meteorological factors, homes closest to influential highways would have concentrations that were 1.7–2.2 fold higher than those furthest from these mobile emission sources. If the median distance to sources were used in the models, the VOC concentrations varied 1.7 to 6.6 fold as the meteorological conditions varied over the observed range. These results highlight that each urban area is unique and localized sources need to be carefully evaluated to understand potential contributions to VOC air concentrations near residences, which influence baseline indoor air concentrations and personal exposures. Results of this study could assist in the appropriate design of monitoring networks for community-level sampling. They may also improve the accuracy of exposure models linking emission sources with estimated pollutant concentrations at the residential level.

Temporal Characteristics of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds in Urban High-Stories Urban Apartments

In present study, the temporal characteristics of nine selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including four alcohol, 2 aldehyde, and 3 ketone compounds, in high-stories urban apartments over a 2-y period were investigated. The indoor VOC concentrations had generally a decreasing trend over the 2-y follow-up period. For examples, the 2E1H indoor concentration decreased from <TEX>$10.8{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX> for the first two months to <TEX>$5.1{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX> for the last two months. In addition, the DCA and ACT indoor concentrations decreased from 5.0 and <TEX>$14{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX> for the first two months to 2.2 and <TEX>$6.4{\mu}g/m^3$</TEX>, respectively, for the last two months. The indoor-to outdoor concentration ratios over the 2-y period were much greater than 1, indicating that indoor VOC concentrations were higher than the outdoor VOC concentrations. Similar to those of the individual VOCs, the indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios of all three VOC groups were higher than 1 over the 2-y follow-up period, suggesting higher indoor concentrations of the three VOC groups than outdoor concentrations. In consistence with the results of VOC indoor concentrations, the VOC emission rates decreased gradually as time passed, due to the decreased VOC emission strengths of indoor sources. Finally, there was an initial sharp decrease in the indoor VOC concentrations followed by a slower decrease, indicating a multi-exponential decay model for the target VOCs, which was demonstrated by comparison of the residuals and the adjusted coefficient of determination associated with the one and two-exponential fits of each data set.

Volatile Organic Compounds: Characteristics, distribution and sources in urban schools

Long term exposure to organic pollutants, both inside and outside school buildings may affect children's health and influence their learning performance. Since children spend significant amount of time in school, air quality, especially in classrooms plays a key role in determining the health risks associated with exposure at schools. Within this context, the present study investigated the ambient concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in 25 primary schools in Brisbane with the aim to quantify the indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations, identify VOCs sources and their contribution, and based on these; propose mitigation measures to reduce VOCs exposure in schools. One of the most important findings is the occurrence of indoor sources, indicated by the I/O ratio >1 in 19 schools. Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation was used to identify common sources of VOCs and source contribution was calculated using an Absolute Principal Component Scores technique. The result showed that outdoor 47% of VOCs were contributed by petrol vehicle exhaust but the overall cleaning products had the highest contribution of 41% indoors followed by air fresheners and art and craft activities. These findings point to the need for a range of basic precautions during the selection, use and storage of cleaning products and materials to reduce the risk from these sources.

Temporal Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds in Newly-Constructed Residential Buildings: Concentration and Source

The present study was designed to examine the concentrations, emission rates, and source characteristics of a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 30 newly-constructed apartment buildings by measuring indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 2-year period. For comparison, seven villa-type houses were also surveyed for indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations over a 3-month period. Indoor and outdoor air samples were collected on Tenax-TA adsorbent and analyzed using a gas chromatograph (GC)/mass spectrometer system or a GC/flame ionization detector system coupled to a thermal desorption system. The long-term change in indoor VOC concentrations depended on the type of VOCs. Generally, aromatic (except for naphthalene), aliphatic, and terpene compounds exhibited a gradual deceasing trend over the 2-year follow-up period. However, the indoor concentrations of the six halogenated VOCs did not significantly vary with time changes. Similar to these halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations did not vary significantly with time changes over the 2-year period. Unlike the halogenated VOCs, the indoor naphthalene concentrations were much higher than the outdoor concentrations. The indoor concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic compounds were higher for the villa-type houses when compared to those of apartment buildings. In addition, four source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, wood paneling and furniture, moth repellents) and three source groups (floor coverings and interior painting, household products, and moth repellents) were considered as potential VOC sources inside apartment buildings for the first- and second-year post-occupancy stages, respectively.

Determinants of personal, indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations: An analysis of the RIOPA data

Community and environmental exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been associated with a number of emission sources and activities, e.g., environmental tobacco smoke and pumping gasoline. Such factors have been identified from mostly small studies with relatively limited information regarding influences on VOC levels. This study uses data from the Relationship of Indoor Outdoor and Personal Air (RIOPA) study to investigate environmental, individual and social determinants of VOC concentrations. RIOPA included outdoor, indoor and personal measurements of 18 VOCs from 310 non-smoking households and adults in three cities and two seasons, and collected a wide range of information pertaining to participants, family members, households, and neighborhoods. Exposure determinants were identified using stepwise regressions and linear mixed-effect models. Most VOC exposure (66 to 78% of the total exposure, depending on VOC) occurred indoors, and outdoor VOC sources accounted for 5 (d-limonene) to 81% (carbon tetrachloride) of the total exposure. Personal exposure and indoor measurements had similar determinants, which depended on the VOC. Gasoline-related VOCs (e.g., benzene, methyl tertiary butyl ether) were associated with city, residences with attached garages, self-pumping of gas, wind speed, and house air exchange rate (AER). Odorant and cleaning-related VOCs (e.g., 1,4-dichlorobenzene and chloroform) also were associated with city and AER, and with house size and family members showering. Dry-cleaning and industry-related VOCs (e.g., tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene) were associated with city, residence water supply type, and dry-cleaner visits. These and other relationships were significant, explained from 10 to 40% of the variation, and are consistent with known emission sources and the literature. Outdoor concentrations had only two common determinants: city and wind speed. Overall, personal exposure was dominated by the home setting, although a large fraction of VOC concentrations were due to outdoor sources. City, personal activities, household characteristics and meteorology were significant determinants.

Volatile organic compound concentrations, emission rates, and source apportionment in newly-built apartments at pre-occupancy stage

The present study investigated the indoor concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde and their indoor emission characteristics in newly-built apartments at the pre-occupancy stage. In total, 107 apartments were surveyed for indoor and outdoor VOC concentrations in two metropolitan cities and one rural area in Korea. A mass balanced model was used to estimate surface area-specific emission rates of individual VOCs and formaldehyde. Seven (benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, m,p-xylene, o-xylene, n-hexane, and n-heptane) of 40 target compounds were detectable in all indoor air samples, whereas the first five were detected in all outdoor air samples. Formaldehyde was also predominant in the indoor air samples, with a high detection frequency of 96%. The indoor concentrations were significantly higher than the outdoor concentrations for aromatics, alcohols, terpenes, and ketones. However, six halogenated VOCs exhibited similar concentrations for indoor and outdoor air samples, suggesting that they are not major components emitted from building materials. It was also suggested that a certain portion of the apartments surveyed were constructed by not following the Korean Ministry of Environment guidelines for formaldehyde emissions. Toluene exhibited the highest emission rate with a median value of 138μgm−2h−1. The target compounds with median emission rates greater than 20μgm−2h−1 were toluene, 1-propanol, formaldehyde, and 2-butanone. The wood panels/vinyl floor coverings were the largest indoor pollutant source, followed by floorings, wall coverings, adhesives, and paints. The wood panels/vinyl floor coverings contributed nearly three times more to indoor VOC concentrations than paints.

Variability of indoor and outdoor VOC measurements: An analysis using variance components

This study examines concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured inside and outside of 162 residences in southeast Michigan, U.S.A. Nested analyses apportioned four sources of variation: city, residence, season, and measurement uncertainty. Indoor measurements were dominated by seasonal and residence effects, accounting for 50 and 31%, respectively, of the total variance. Contributions from measurement uncertainty (<20%) and city effects (<10%) were small. For outdoor measurements, season, city and measurement variation accounted for 43, 29 and 27% of variance, respectively, while residence location had negligible impact (<2%). These results show that, to obtain representative estimates of indoor concentrations, measurements in multiple seasons are required. In contrast, outdoor VOC concentrations can use multi-seasonal measurements at centralized locations. Error models showed that uncertainties at low concentrations might obscure effects of other factors. Variance component analyses can be used to interpret existing measurements, design effective exposure studies, and determine whether the instrumentation and protocols are satisfactory.

Health Risk Assessment of Personal Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Tianjin, China

PP-29-009 Background/Aims: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can induce a range of adverse human health effects, and draw considerable concern in exposure science. To date, however, personal VOCs exposure and residential indoor and outdoor VOCs levels have not been characterized in the mainland of China, less is known about health risk of personal exposure to VOCs. Methods: In this study, a pilot study was conducted to assess personal exposure to VOCs, and US Environmental Protection Agencys unit risk value was used to assess the inhalation caner health risk. To assess uncertainty of health risk estimate, the Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis were implemented using Crystal Ball 7.2 software. Personal exposure to 10 VOCs was measured, and simultaneously compared with residential indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations, workplace and vehicle microenvironment concentrations in Tianjin, China. All VOCs samples were collected using passive samplers for 5 days, and were analyzed using Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer. Results: As expected for most of the VOC, personal exposures were greater than residential Indoor concentrations, with the exception of carbon tetrachloride. Results of exposure assessment show modeled and measured concentrations are statistically lineally correlated for all VOCs (P < 0.01), except chloroform. According to the risk assessment results, benzene, chloroform, 1,3-Butadiene presented the highest cancer risks of 52, 21 per 1 million population based on personal exposure, respectively. The average cumulative cancer risk based on personal exposure was approximately 78 per million, followed by indoor exposure (57 per million). Conclusion: Accurate exposure estimates are critical inputs to risk assessment in evaluating the severity and probability of health impact. The combination of personal exposure monitoring and risk assessment would possibly reduce some of the current uncertainty associated with risk estimates.

Comparison of predicted and derived measures of volatile organic compounds inside four new relocatable classrooms

Our objective was to develop a process for selecting interior finish materials having low impacts with respect to emissions of toxic and odorous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for school relocatable classrooms (RCs). A laboratory study identified alternate materials with low VOC emissions. Two pairs of RCs then were constructed. One RC per pair contained standard interior materials; the other incorporated alternate materials. The pairs were sited side-by-side at two California elementary schools in fall 2001. Fifteen target VOCs, including the toxicants formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, vinyl acetate, phenol, toluene, and naphthalene, were measured during school hours over 8 weeks in the succeeding fall cooling season. Indoor minus outdoor VOC concentrations with an advanced HVAC operated were low; only formaldehyde concentrations exceeded 5 p.p.b. Classroom VOC concentrations were predicted based on emission factors (microg/m(2)/h), material quantities and design ventilation rates. These were compared to average adjusted concentrations measured when the occupied classrooms were operating at near the code-minimum ventilation rate. For 16 of the possible 42 comparisons, measured concentrations agreed within a factor of two of predicted the predicted values. Concentrations of six of 10 VOCs were significantly lower in modified RCs though average differences were mostly less than 1 p.p.b. Laboratory-based material testing combined with modeling and field validation to select low VOC-impact interior finish materials helped achieve the aim of providing generally acceptable air quality in new school relocatable classrooms (RCs). The accuracy of the combined process was evidenced by the correct prediction of air quality impacts, though small, due to material VOC emissions when the study RCs were ventilated at code-minimum requirements. The process could be generalized to other manufacturers and classroom types. Material selection also is important to accommodate reduced ventilation rate conditions, which likely occur in many classrooms.

Effect of outside air ventilation rate on volatile organic compound concentrations in a call center

Abstract A study of the relationship between outside air ventilation rate and concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated indoors was conducted in a call center office building. The building, with two floors and a total floor area of 4600 m 2 , is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Ventilation rates were manipulated with the building's four air handling units (AHUs). VOC and CO 2 concentrations in the AHU returns were measured on 7 days during a 13-week period. VOC emission factors were determined for individual zones on days when they were operating at near steady-state conditions. The emission factor data were subjected to principal component (PC) analysis to identify groups of co-varying compounds. Potential sources of the PC vectors were ascribed based on information from the literature. The per occupant CO 2 generation rates were 0.0068–0.0092 l s −1 . The per occupant isoprene generation rates of 0.2–0.3 mg h −1 were consistent with the value predicted by mass balance from breath concentration and exhalation rate. The relationships between indoor minus outdoor VOC concentrations and ventilation rate were qualitatively examined for eight VOCs. Of these, acetaldehyde and hexanal, which likely were associated with material sources, and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, associated with personal care products, exhibited general trends of higher concentrations at lower ventilation rates. For other compounds, a clear inverse relationship between VOC concentrations and ventilation was not observed. The net concentration of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate isomers, examples of low-volatility compounds, changed very little with ventilation likely due to sorption and re-emission effects. These results illustrate that the efficacy of ventilation for controlling VOC concentrations can vary considerably depending upon the operation of the building, the pollutant sources and the physical and chemical processes affecting the pollutants. Thus, source control measures, in addition to adequate ventilation, are required to limit concentrations of VOCs in office buildings.

하계 실내 및 실외환경의 공기 중 휘발성 유기화합물 농도 및 개인노출

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in essentially all natural and synthetic materials from petrol to flowers. In this study, indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations of houses, offices and internet-cafes were measured and compared simultaneously with personal exposures of each 50 participants in Asan and Seoul, respectively. Also, factors that influence personal VOCs exposure were statistically analyzed using questionnaires in relation to house characteristics, time activities, and health effects. All VOCs concentrations were measured by OVM passive samplers (3M) and analyzed with GC/MS. Target pollutants among VOCs were Toluene, o-Xylene, m/p-Xylene, Ethylbenzene, MIBK, n-Octane, Styrene, Trichloroethylene, and 1,2-Dichlorobenzene. Indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations measured in Seoul were significantly higher than those in Asan except Ethylbenzene. Residential indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios for all target compounds ranged from 0.94 to 1.51 and I/O ratios of Asan were a little higher than those of Seoul. Relationship between personal VOCs exposure, and indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations suggested that time-activity pattern could affect the high exposure to air pollutant. Factors that influence indoor VOCs level and personal exposure with regard to house characteristics in houses were building age, inside smoking and house type. In addition insecticide and cosmetics interestingly affected the VOCs personal exposure. Higher exposure to VOCs might be caused to be exciting increase and memory reduction, considering the relationship between measured VOCs concentrations and questionnaire (p<0.05).

Volatile organic compounds concentrations in residential indoor and outdoor and its personal exposure in Korea

To date, personal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure and residential indoor and outdoor VOCs levels have not been characterized in Korea. In this study, residential indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations were measured and compared simultaneously with the personal exposure for each of 30 participants in a medium city, Asan, and in a metropolitan city, Seoul. Factors that influence personal VOCs exposures were assessed in relation to house characteristics and time activity information. All VOC concentrations were measured using passive samplers during a 24-h period and analyzed using GC-MS. Ten target VOCs were benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, o-xylene, p-xylene, ethylbenzene, MIBK, n-octane, styrene, and 1,2-dichlorobenzene. Residential indoor and outdoor VOCs concentrations measured in Seoul were significantly higher than those in Asan. Indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios for all target compounds ranged from 0.94 to 1.51 and I/O ratios of Asan were a little higher than those of Seoul. Results indicate that time activity information can be used to predict personal exposures, although such predictions will result in an over estimation compared to measured exposures. Factors which influence the indoor VOCs level and its personal exposure in relation to house characteristics included house age, indoor smoking, and house type.

Estimation of optimum requirements for indoor air quality and energy consumption in some residences in Kuwait

Contrasting effects of the dilution of indoor generated pollutants and the energy efficiency of heating and ventilating air conditioning systems (HVAC) for indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort were studied for 10 Kuwaiti residences. The levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the calculated cooling load of the HVAC systems were used as indicators for the IAQ and for the energy consumption, respectively. Air exchange rates and VOCs levels (both indoor and outdoor) were measured. It was found that the outdoor VOC concentrations were always less than the indoor values. Therefore reduction of indoor VOC levels can be accomplished either by increasing the ratio of the makeup air to the recirculation air of the HVAC system or by increasing the infiltration airflow rate through openings. A single compartment IAQ model, modified by the authors, was used to test for the variation in the above two dilution modes and to test the performance sensitivity. Hence, the optimum parameters in terms of IAQ and energy consumption were determined. The results indicated that it was necessary to increase the ratio of the makeup air to the recirculation air from its typical design value of 0.5 to a range of 0.7–1.3 in order to reduce indoor VOC to acceptable levels.