Evaluation of volatile organic compounds present in the atmospheres of rural, urban and industrial areas

National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion – INSEMEX Petroșani

^* Corresponding author: marius.kovacs@insemex.ro

Abstract

Romanian legislation regarding the measurement of volatile organic compound emissions provides limits only for benzene and it is recommended to measure other organic compounds (for example: 1-Butene, Isoprene, Ethyl Benzene, Ethane, Trans-2-Butene, n-Hexane, Total non-methane hydrocarbons, etc.), as they can also cause health problems with long-term exposure. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are reach the atmosphere as a result of human activities, such as vehicle exhaust emissions, industrial activity, solvent use, waste management and agricultural practices. Among these, emissions of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes and trimethylbenzene from vehicles have a significant impact on air quality. At the same time, VOC concentrations in the environment are also influenced by biogenic emissions and photochemical degradation processes. Atmospheric concentrations of volatile organic compounds were measured in several areas, including rural, urban and industrialized areas located in Hunedoara County. The analyses were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which is a powerful and versatile analytical technique that combines two methods gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). these methods allows the separation, identification and quantification of components in a complex mixture. Following the analysis of the measurements, it results that Toluene and xylenes showed the highest concentrations in industrial areas, which indicates a major contribution from the evaporation of industrial solvents. In urban areas, although the values recorded for toluene and xylene are lower, benzene has a relatively higher presence, most likely as a result of intense road traffic and incomplete combustion of fuels. The highest values for Benzene were recorded in rural areas, which suggests a significant influence of biomass burning, the presence of wood-fired thermal power plants, as well as the use of agricultural machinery and the handling of liquid fuels in rural areas.