Журнал географии и стихийных бедствий
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Concentration Levels of VOCs in Ambient Air and Health Assessment of Respiratory Diseases in Petrochemical Cities in Western China

Chang Lu*, Wang Xia, Ding Haixia, Zhou Yian

In the urban and suburban areas of Lanzhou, a petrochemical industry city located in Northwest China, 99 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) excluding aldehydes and ketones were measured using both PAMS and TO-15 methods between 2021 and 2022. The analysis of the collected data aimed to explore the seasonal trends in air pollution and its correlation with respiratory diseases in Lanzhou. The average annual concentrations of VOCs were found to be 121 ppbv for urban living areas, 165 ppbv for industrial areas, and 114 ppbv for background areas, with industrial areas exhibiting the highest concentration. These VOCs consist of various organic compounds, including alkanes, olefins, halogenated hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons, which act as organic tracers of specific marker molecules or their sources. By employing principal component analysis and grouping the species using the maximum variance method, the VOC concentration levels were assessed across different regions. Subsequently, the associated changes were calculated based on the number of reported respiratory morbidity cases from public health hospitals in each region. The results suggest a correlation between VOC concentration levels and the onset of respiratory illnesses during the fall and winter seasons. Therefore, reducing VOC emissions during these months can effectively mitigate the public health risks associated with respiratory illnesses.