Commuter exposure to aromatic VOCs in public transportation modes in Hong Kong

This study investigated commuter exposure to aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in different commuting microenvironments. In Hong Kong, more than 90% of the local citizens rely on public transport facilities in their daily commutes. During five winter months in late 2001 and early 2002, in-vehicle monitoring was performed in nine popular public transportation modes: tram, public light bus, air-conditioned bus, non-air-conditioned bus, taxi, ferry and three railway systems (Mass Transit Railway-MTR, Kowloon-Canton Railway-KCR and Light Rail Transit-LRT). These transports were grouped into three categories: railway transport, roadway transport and marine transport. Air samples of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m/p/o-xylene were collected by canisters and analysed by gas chromatography and mass selective detector technique. Results indicated that the in-vehicle VOC exposure levels were greatly influenced by the mode of transport. For benzene, mean concentration ranged from 4.8 to 6.1 microg x m(-3) in roadway transports, 3.0-3.8 microg x m(-3) in railway transports and it was 2.1 microg x m(-3) in ferry. Regardless of the results in MTR and air-conditioned buses, the VOC levels in roadway transport were the highest and was followed by railway transport. The exposure levels in marine transport were the lowest. The TEX concentrations were found to be substantially higher in air-conditioned buses and MTR trains than in other transports, suggesting the existence of additional solvent-related sources in their vehicle interiors. Measurements in non-air-conditioned double deck vehicles indicate that there was slightly higher VOC levels in the lower deck than in the upper deck microenvironment. The average upper to lower deck exposure ratio ranged from 0.79 to 0.87 in trams and 0.78-0.83 in non-air-conditioned buses, depending on the compound of concern. The VOC exposure levels of public transport commuters in Hong Kong are far lower than those in most oversea cities. The experimental concentrations obtained in this study are within the relevant health-protecting limits as stated in the Hong Kong Indoor Air Quality Objective. Influences of recent VOC pollution control measures and local traffic characteristics on in-vehicle level are discussed.     

Comparison of selected volatile organic compounds during the summer and winter at urban sites in New Jersey

This paper presents a comparison of summer and winter levels of twenty-five selected volatile organic compounds (VOC) measured as part of the New Jersey project on Airborne Toxic Elements and Organic Substances (ATEOS). Most of the selected VOC were found in the range of 0.01–1.00 ppbv, with the exception of toluene (1–5 ppbv) and benzene (1–3 ppbv). However, peak levels of many compounds increased more than 100 fold during specific pollutant episodes. Generally, VOC levels were higher in the winter than the summer. Day to day variations of measured aromatic VOC showed significant correlations at each site suggesting an area source (motor vehicles), while there was little relationship between chlorinated species. During summer oxidant episodes, selected VOC increased from 2–10 times at Newark and Elizabeth, but not at Camden. In the winter, nocturnal temperature inversions caused levels of selected VOC to increase from 2–3 times seasonal average at all sites.     

The long-term evolutions and the regional characteristics of atmospheric methane concentrations in Nagoya, 1983-1997

This study provides information on the long-term evolutions of the atmospheric methane (CH4) concentrations in Nagoya City, Japan, which were analyzed by using the continuous monitoring data observed at the eight observatory stations for 1983-1997. The 15-year records of the atmospheric CH4 concentrations were examined by means of a time-series analysis using a fast Fourier transform with a low-pass filter to elucidate the seasonal cycles and the long-term trends. The annual averages of the CH4 concentrations in Nagoya were 1.85 ppmv (parts per million by volume), 1.91 ppmv, and 1.90 ppmv in 1988, 1995 and 1997, respectively. Moreover, the annual average growth rate showed a drastic decrease from 17 ppbv (parts per billion by volume) year(-1) in 1992 to 2 ppbv year(-1) in 1993, and further down to 7 ppbv year(-1) in 1997. Comparison of the atmospheric CH4 records in Nagoya with those in global air of the northern hemisphere observed at Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii, USA, allows us to estimate the excess concentration of CH4 in the urban atmosphere of Nagoya, which was 0.17 ppmv in 1988 and 0.15 ppmv in 1997. On a local scale, the atmospheric CH4 concentrations in the northern part of Nagoya City increased until 1992 and then gradually decreased from 1993 to 1997, although those in the south-western urban areas constantly increased at the averaged growth rate of 13 ppbv year(-1) for 1988-1997. The variation of the long-term trends of the CH4 concentrations in Nagoya may be ascribed to the emission changes from the CH4 sources due to the human activities such as waste dumping and landfills.     

Receptor modeling of PM2.5, PM10 and TSP in different seasons and long-range transport analysis at a coastal site of Tianjin, China

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and TSP) were sampled synchronously during three monitoring campaigns from June 2007 to February 2008 at a coastal site in TEDA of Tianjin, China. Chemical compositions including 19 elements, 6 water-solubility ions, organic and elemental carbon were determined. principle components analysis (PCA) and chemical mass balance modeling (CMB) were applied to determine the PM sources and their contributions with the assistance of NSS SO₄²⁻, the mass ratios of NO₃⁻ to SO₄²⁻ and OC to EC. Air mass backward trajectory model was compared with source apportionment results to evaluate the origin of PM. Results showed that NSS SO₄²⁻ values for PM_2.5 were 2147.38, 1701.26 and 239.80 ng/m³ in summer, autumn and winter, reflecting the influence of sources from local emissions. Most of it was below zero in summer for PM₁₀ indicating the influence of sea salt. The ratios of NO₃⁻ to SO₄²⁻ was 0.19 for PM_2.5, 0.18 for PM₁₀ and 0.19 for TSP in winter indicating high amounts of coal consumed for heating purpose. Higher OC/EC values (mostly larger than 2.5) demonstrated that secondary organic aerosol was abundant at this site. The major sources were construction activities, road dust, vehicle emissions, marine aerosol, metal manufacturing, secondary sulfate aerosols, soil dust, biomass burning, some pharmaceutics industries and fuel-oil combustion according to PCA. Coal combustion, marine aerosol, vehicular emission and soil dust explained 5-31%, 1-13%, 13-44% and 3-46% for PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and TSP, respectively. Backward trajectory analysis showed air parcels originating from sea accounted for 39% in summer, while in autumn and winter the air parcels were mainly related to continental origin.     

Model Estimates of the Contributions of Environmental Tobacco Smoke to Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Buildings

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) in office buildings originate from multiple sources, such as outdoor air, building materials., occupants, office supplies, and office equipment. Many of the VOC found in office buildings are also present in environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), e.g., benzene, toluene, formaldehyde. Measurements made to date in office buildings have been interpreted by some to imply that the contributions of ETS to VOC exposures in office buildings are small. We have made a first order estimate of the contributions of ETS to VOC concentrations based on the VOC content of ETS and a time-dependent mass-balance model. Four different ventilation-infiltration scenarios were modelled for a typical office building. The results indicate that ETS can contribute significantly to total indoor levels of VOC in office buildings, even under moderate ventilation conditions. Ranges of concentrations for three of the four modelled scenarios substantially overlapped measured ranges of the compounds in office buildings. Average daytime concentrations of benzene from ETS, for example, for three of the four modelled scenarios, ranged from 2.7 to 6.2 μg m^?3, compared to reported measurements of 1.4 to 8.1 μg m^?3 for four office buildings. Under a “worst reasonable” case scenario, the average modelled ETS-contributed concentration of benzene was 33.9 μg m^?3 for a 40-hour work week.     

Comparative PM10-PM2.5 source contribution study at rural, urban and industrial sites during PM episodes in Eastern Spain

In this study a set of 340 PM10 and PM2.5 samples collected throughout 16 months at rural, an urban kerbside and an industrial background site (affected by the emissions from the ceramic manufacture and other activities) were interpreted. On the regional scale, the main PM10 sources were mineral dust (mainly Al2O3, Fe, Ti, Sr, CaCO3, Mg, Mn and K), emissions derived from power generation (SO4=, V, Zn and Ni), vehicle exhausts (organic and elemental carbon, NO3- and trace elements) and marine aerosol (Na, Cl and Mg). The latter was not identified in PM2.5. At the industrial site, additional PM10 sources were identified (tile covering in the ceramic production, petrochemical emissions and bio-mass burning from a large orange tree cultivation area). The contribution of each PM source to PM10 and PM2.5 levels experiences significant variations depending on the type of PM episode (Local-urban mainly in autumn-winter, regional mainly in summer, African or Atlantic episode), which are discussed in this study. The results show that it would be very difficult to meet the EU limit values for PM10 established for 2010. The annual mean PM levels are 22.0 microg PM10/m3 at the rural and 49.5 microg PM10/m3 and 33.9 microg PM2.5/m3 at the urban site. The natural contribution in this region, estimated at 6 microg/m3 of natural mineral dust (resulting from the African events and natural resuspension) and 2 microg/m3 of marine aerosol, accounts for 40% of the 2010 EU annual limit value (20 microg PM10/m3). Mineral dust concentrations at the urban and industrial sites are higher than those at the rural site because of the urban road dust and the ceramic-production contributions, respectively. At the urban site, the vehicle exhaust contribution (17 microg/m3) alone is very close to the 2010 EU PM10 limit value. At the rural site, the African dust is the main contributor to PM10 levels during the highest daily mean PM10 events (100th-97th percentile range). At the urban site, the vehicle exhaust product is the main contributor to PM10 and PM2.5 levels during the highest daily mean PM events (100th-85th percentile range). Mineral dust concentrations during African dust events accounts for 20-30 microg/m3 in PM10 and 10-15 microg/m3 in PM2.5. During non-African dust events, mineral dust derived from anthropogenic activities (e.g. urban road dust) is also a significant contributor to PM10, but not to PM2.5.     

Monitoring of volatile organic compounds in non-residential indoor environments

A weekly monitoring campaign of volatile organic compounds (VOC), with single sampling of 24 h, was carried out in non-residential indoor environments such as libraries, pharmacies, offices, gymnasiums, etc., in order to evaluate the VOC concentrations to which people are exposed. Moreover, an outdoor sample was coupled to each indoor site to point out the influence of indoor sources. They were sampled with Radiello diffusive samplers for thermal desorption and analyzed by GC-MS. As already described in other papers, the VOC levels of most of the indoor sites were higher than that observed in the corresponding outdoor sites. For example, some sites showed a level of pollution that is ten times higher than their corresponding outdoor site. The monitored environments that had higher concentrations of the investigated VOC were the pharmacies, a newspaper stand, a copy center, and the coffee shops. Analysis of the weekly average concentrations of each pollutant and the use of literature allowed pointing out some site-specific characteristics that singled out possible sources of VOC. These results were verified analyzing the indoor-outdoor ratio (I/O) too. Newspaper stands were characterized by very high concentrations of toluene and pharmacies were characterized by high concentrations of aromatic compounds. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Indoor air pollution caused by volatile organic compounds (VOC) might affect human health at home as well as in public and commercial buildings. The main VOC sources in indoor environments are human activities, personal care products, smoking, house cleaning products, building products, and outside pollution. To preserve human health it is necessary to evaluate the average concentrations of VOC to which people are exposed and to identify the main sources of indoor pollution by means of suitable indoor monitoring campaigns in several environments. These investigations allow pointing out the characteristic critical situations of some indoor environments or some other types of environments.     

Identification of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carbonyl compounds in Hong Kong

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carbonyl compounds are the major organic pollutants in the atmosphere. Emissions from motor vehicles have been one of the primary pollution sources in the metropolitan area of Hong Kong. A 12-month monitoring program for VOCs, PAHs and carbonyl compounds was performed at a roadside urban station at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU) in order to determine the correlations of each selected pollutant. The monitoring program ran from 16 April 1999 to 10 April 2000 for a period of 1 year, and a 2-week winter intensive sampling was carried out during January 2000. Traditionally, emission sources are identified from organic compounds in air particulates. Since many of the gaseous and particulate phases of organic compounds are from the same sources, correlations between the major exhausts are to be expected. Therefore, it would be more effective to apportion the sources using the combined gaseous and particulate phases of organic compounds. Correlations of selected pollutants within two other toxic air pollutants (TAPs) monitoring stations in Tsuen Wan (TW) and Central/Western (CW) were analyzed. Good correlations were found between pollutants that came from vehicle exhaust, especially in intensive sampling periods at HKPU roadside station. This was because the washing out effect for particulates during rainy days and photochemical degradation during high solar radiation were minimized in wintertime.     

珠江三角洲地区推广LPG汽车的效益分析

针对珠江三角洲地区,通过比较LPG汽车燃料与普通汽车燃料的性质、不同燃料汽车尾气污染物含量和燃料费用,论证了LPG作为清洁汽车燃料具有优越的环保效益和经济效益。建议鼓励推行LPG汽车。     

Measurement of volatile organic compounds in sediments of the Scheldt estuary and the Southern North Sea

The concentrations and distribution of 13 priority volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined in sediments of the Scheldt estuary and the Belgian continental shelf, using a modified Tekmar LSC 2000 purge-and-trap system coupled to GC-MS. The method allows a sample intake of up to 50 g wet weight and detection limits are between 0.003 ng/g (tetrachloromethane) and 0.16 ng/g (m- and p-xylene). The repeatability (n = 5) varied between 4% (benzene) and 17% (toluene) and the recoveries ranged from 59% (1,1-dichloroethane) to 99% (tetrachloromethane). Because of the nature of the contaminants, special attention was paid to analyte losses and contamination of the samples during storage aboard the research vessel. Spiked sediment samples were prepared in the laboratory and stored aboard under the same conditions as the environmental samples. The recoveries for these samples varied between 94 and 130%, which suggests that storage had no adverse effect on the samples. No detectable VOC concentrations were found for most of the sampling stations. However, in the Antwerp harbour area, significant concentrations of VOCs were found. The sorption behaviour as predicted from laboratory equilibrium partitioning experiments gives an indication of the in situ partitioning behaviour of VOCs. Although VOCs in sediments should, in general, not be regarded as a major problem in the marine environment, high local concentrations may be a cause of concern.     

Hydrocarbon source apportionment for the 1996 Paso del Norte Ozone Study

The 1996 Paso del Norte (PdN) ozone study was conducted to improve current understanding of the significant meteorological and air quality processes that lead to high concentrations of ozone in El Paso, Texas (USA) and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua (Mexico). Two-hour canister samples were collected five times daily at 05.00-07.00 h, 07.00-09.00 h, 09.00-11.00 h, 11.00-13.00 h, and 15.00-17.00 h MST during intensive study periods at one urban and one rural site on each side of the border. An automated gas chromatograph was operated at one site in central El Paso. Source profiles (the fractional chemical composition of emissions) from motor vehicles, gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas, and commercial natural gas were combined with source profiles from other studies for input to the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) receptor model to apportion the measured non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) to sources. On-road vehicle emissions accounted for one-half to two-thirds of the NMHC in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso with the highest contributions occurring during the morning and afternoon commute periods. Emissions from diesel exhaust contributed approximately 2-3% of NMHC in Ciudad Juárez and less than 2% in El Paso. The average sum of liquid gasoline and gasoline vapor increased during the day in Ciudad Juárez from 2% at 06.00 h to approximately 12% at 16.00 h. Diurnal and day-of-the-week patterns in the liquid gasoline contributions are essentially identical to the corresponding patterns for motor vehicle exhaust, which suggest that a large fraction of the liquid gasoline contribution may be associated with tailpipe emissions rather than evaporative emissions from motor vehicles or industrial sources. Including the sum of the two sources put the upper limit for tailpipe contributions at 60-70% of NMHC.     

Source characterization of major emission sources in the imperial and Mexicali Valleys along the US/Mexico border

Chemical profiles for particle emissions are needed for source apportionment studies using the chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model. Source measurements of geological sources, motor vehicle exhaust, vegetative burning (e.g. asparagus, field burning, charbroil cooking), and industrial sources (e.g. oil-fueled glass plant, manure-fueled power plants) were acquired as part of the Imperial/Mexicali Valley Cross Border PM10 Transport Study in 1992. Six different source sampling techniques (i.e. hot- and diluted-exhaust sampling, ground-based source sampling, particle sweeping/grab sampling, vacuum sampling, and laboratory resuspension sampling) were applied to acquire filter samples of PM 2.5 and PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters < 2.5 and 10 microm, respectively). Filter samples were analyzed for mass by gravimetry, elements (Na to U) by X-ray fluorescence, anions (Cl(-), NO3(-), SO4(=)) by ion chromatography, ammonium (NH4(+)) by automated colorimetry, soluble sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and organic and elemental carbon (OC, EC) by thermal/optical reflectance. Concentration data were acquired for a total of approximately 50 chemical species. Elevated abundances of crustal components (Al, Si, K, Ca, Fe) from geological material, carbon (OC, EC) and trace elements (Br, Pb) from vehicle exhausts, carbon (OC, EC) and ions (K(+), Cl(-)) from vegetative burning, ions (SO4(=), NH4(+), Na(+), K(+), Cl(-)) and elements (Cl, Se) from a manure-fueled power plants, and sulfur and trace elements (Na(+), Pb, Se, Ni, V) from an oil-fueled glass plant were found in the resulting source profiles. Abundances of crustal species (e.g. Al, Si, Ca) in the Imperial/Mexicali Valley geological profiles are more than twice those found in central and southern California. Abundances of lead in motor vehicle exhausts indicate different vehicle fleets in border cities. Emission profiles from field burning and charbroil cooking specific to the border area show that a majority (>60%) of emissions are comprised of carbon, with high organic to total carbon ratios (0.93 to 0.97). Abundances of sulfate and ammonium account for nearly 60% of the manure-fueled power plant's emissions. Elevated levels of metals (Na(+), Pb, Cd, Se) and byproducts of petroleum combustion (S, Ni, V) were found in the oil-fueled glass plant's emissions.     

LPI型LPG汽车在我国的发展前景

分析了我国LPG汽车行业的发展现状,指出了存在的问题。介绍了LPI型LPG汽车的原理和优点,总结了推广LPI型LPG汽车的优势,指出了推广LPI型LPG汽车存在的问题和解决方法。     

GENDER,CAMPAIGN FINANCE,AND ELECTORAL SUCCESS IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

ABSTRACT: Despite high success rates when they run for office, women are still underrepresented in federal, state, and local elective office. Past research has explored factors that contribute to the scarcity of female candidates on the state and federal level, but little attention has been paid to the local level. This article begins to fill that gap by exploring electoral and fundraising patterns in mayoral and council elections in seven cities. We find that, similar to state and federal elections, women do just as well as men when they seek office but fewer women run. Further, of the women who do mount campaigns their backgrounds are quite similar to male candidates, raise comparable amounts of campaign funds, and receive contributions from the same sources. In general, we found few differences between male and female candidates. These findings highlight the importance of self‐selection in the decision to run for office.     

Exposure to volatile organic compounds for individuals with occupations associated with potential exposure to motor vehicle exhaust and/or gasoline vapor emissions

Workers who work near volatile organic compounds (VOCs) source(s), motor vehicle exhausts and/or gasoline vapor emissions, are suspected to be exposed to highly-elevated VOC levels during their work-time. This study confirmed this suspicion and evaluated the work-time exposure VOCs for traffic police officers, parking garage attendants, service station attendants, roadside storekeepers and underground storekeepers, by measuring the concentrations of six aromatic VOCs in workplace air, or personal air and breath samples. For nearly all target VOCs, the post-work breath concentrations of the workers were slightly or significantly higher than the pre-work breath concentrations, depending on the compound and occupation. Furthermore, both the pre- and post-work breath concentrations of the workers showed elevated levels compared with a control group of college students. The post-work breath concentrations were significantly correlated with the personal air concentrations, while the pre-work breath concentrations were not. Smoking workers were not always exposed to higher aromatic VOC levels than non-smoking workers. The breath and personal air concentrations for all the target compounds were both higher for underground parking garage attendants than for ground-level parking attendants. For all the target compounds except toluene, storekeepers exhibited similar levels of exposure for all store types. Print shopkeepers recorded the highest toluene exposure.     

Ambient volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations around a petrochemical complex and a petroleum refinery

Air samples were collected between September 2000 and September 2001 in Izmir, Turkey at three sampling sites located around a petrochemical complex and an oil refinery to measure ambient volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations. VOC concentrations were 4-20-fold higher than those measured at a suburban site in Izmir, Turkey. Ethylene dichloride, a leaded gasoline additive used in petroleum refining and an intermediate product of the vinyl chloride process in the petrochemical complex, was the most abundant volatile organic compound, followed by ethyl alcohol and acetone. Evaluations based on wind direction clearly indicated that ambient VOC concentrations measured were affected by the refinery and petrochemical complex emissions. VOC concentrations showed seasonal variations at all sampling sites. Concentrations were highest in summer, followed by autumn, probably due to increased evaporation of VOCs from fugitive sources as a result of higher temperatures. VOC concentrations generally increased with temperature and wind speed. Temperature and wind speed together explained 1-60% of the variability in VOC concentrations. The variability in ambient VOC concentrations that could not be explained by temperature and wind speed can be attributed to the effect of other factors (i.e. wind direction, other VOC sources).     

Spatial and temporal trends of petroleum hydrocarbons in wild mussels from the Galician coast (NW Spain) affected by the Prestige oil spill

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in tissues of wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Galicia coast (NW Spain) in order to assess the extent of the environmental impact caused by the Prestige oil spill (November 13, 2002). Three sampling campaigns were carried out in February, June and November 2003 at 24 stations along the Galicia coast, from La Guardia (Pontevedra) to Ribadeo (Lugo). The spatial distribution of PAHs found in the first sampling period, clearly revealed the central area (Costa da Morte) as the most affected by the oil spill. In these stations, concentrations up to 7780 microg/kg dw of the sum of 13 parent PAHs were found 2-3 months after the spill. Molecular parameters within the aliphatic and aromatic fractions confirmed the presence of the Prestige oil in these samples. The levels markedly decreased at most of the stations in the second sampling and recovered to levels found before the spill in November 2003, 1 year after the accident (29-279 microg/kg dw, av. 133+/-83 microg/kg dw). However, a certain increase was observed in some sites which could be related to the remobilization of oil residues from still unclean intertidal spots or sediments due to the winter marine weather conditions.     

Analytical electron microscopy of combustion particles: a comparison of vehicle exhaust and residential wood smoke

Particulate matter has been associated with a number of adverse health effects. Since combustion particles from vehicle exhaust and wood smoke are common constituents of ambient air, the morphology and elemental composition of particles from these two sources were analysed and compared using single particle analysis. Ambient air particles were collected in locations dominated by vehicle exhaust or residential wood smoke. To verify the source contributions to the ambient air samples, particles were collected directly from the combustion sources. All particulate samples were analysed on carbon extraction replica by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microanalysis (XRMA). The particles were classified into four groups based on morphology and elemental composition. Carbon aggregates were the only particles identified to originate from combustion sources and accounted for more than 88% of the particle numbers in the ambient air samples from both sources. The carbon aggregates were therefore further analysed with respect to morphology and elemental composition on germanium extraction replica. Carbon aggregates from vehicle exhaust were characterised by higher levels of Si and Ca compared to wood smoke aggregates that contained higher levels of K. The S content in aggregates from both sources was probably caused by interaction with gases in the air. Furthermore, the diameters of primary particles from vehicle exhaust were significantly smaller (27+/-7 nm) than the diameters for wood smoke (38+/-11 nm). The observed differences in elemental profiles and primary particle diameters for vehicle exhaust and wood smoke may influence the health effects caused by these particles.     

液化石油气储配站工程技术消防安全对策

针对液化石油气储配站火灾危险性大的特点,对其消防安全问题进行了研究,介绍了液化石油气储配站站址的选择原则及平面布局形式,并对生产工艺、设备装置、消防设施选用等进行了论述,以保证液化石油气储配站的安全性。