Estimation of Anthropogenic VOCs Emission Based on Volatile Chemical Products: A Canadian Perspective

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban areas are of great interest due to their significant role in forming ground-level ozone and adverse public health effects. Emission inventories usually compile the outdoor VOCs emission sources (e.g., traffic and industrial emissions). However, considering emissions from volatile chemical products (e.g., solvents, printing ink, personal care products) is challenging because of scattered data and the lack of an effective method to estimate the VOCs emission rate from these chemical products. This paper aims to systematically analyse potential sources of VOCs emission in Canada’s built environment, including volatile chemical products. Also, spatial variation of VOCs level in the ambient atmosphere is examined to understand the VOC relationship with ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation. The study shows that VOCs level may vary among everyday microenvironments (e.g., residential areas, offices, and retail stores) depending on the frequency of product consumption, building age, ventilation condition, and background ambient concentration in the atmosphere. However, it is very difficult to establish VOC speciation and apportionment to different volatile chemical products that contribute most significantly to exposure and target subpopulations with elevated levels. Thus, tracer compounds can be used to identify inventory sources at the consumer end. A critical overview highlights the limitations of existing VOC estimation methods and possible approaches to control VOC emissions. The findings provide crucial information to establish an emission inventory framework for volatile chemical products at a national scale and enable policymakers to limit VOCs emission from various volatile chemical products.

Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks?

“…Examination of indoor emissions of VOCs by sampling residences in Canada, China, and the U.S.A., indicated that the following highest concentration levels were limonene, toluene, m-p xylene, α-pinene, pentane, and decane (Canada and the U.S.A.), and toluene, naphthalene, ethyl-acetate, and m-p-xylene (China). In such a study, the indoor VOCs’ fluctuation and levels are linked to building microenvironments and age, the frequency of product consumption, and ventilation conditions, among other factors [ 46 ].…”

Organic Emissions of Volatile Chemical Products in Canada: Emission Inventories, Indoor-to-Outdoor Transfer, and Regional Impacts

“…Canadian cities also generally have lower pollutant levels, and less-regulated sources, such as VCPs, could contribute a more significant fraction of air pollutants. Asif et al conducted a literature review on studies targeting VOC emissions in Canada between 2000 and 2022 and identified paints and solvents as crucial emerging sources . They suggested future studies to consider building detailed emission inventories, especially for household products such as cleaners and personal care products.…”

“…Asif et al conducted a literature review on studies targeting VOC emissions in Canada between 2000 and 2022 and identified paints and solvents as crucial emerging sources. 14 They suggested future studies to consider building detailed emission inventories, especially for household products such as cleaners and personal care products. This work analyzed the effect of indoor physicochemical phenomena on VCP emissions utilizing an established bottomup approach 8 to build a VCP emission inventory for Canada, followed by chemical speciation and allocation of emissions to indoor and outdoor premises.…”

The role of the formation of the environmental management system in the improvement of international economic relations

“…Today, environmental management is developing primar ily with the practical solution of environmental problems re lated to the production and consumption of goods and servic es. The "agenda of the 21 st century", adopted in Rio de Ja neiro in 1992, indicates that it is necessary to attribute "envi ronmental management" to the dominant rock of sustainable development and, at the same time, to the high priority of in dustrial activity and entrepreneurship [7].…”

“…The purpose of Environmental Management is to improve management in the field of Environmental Protec tion, assess and reduce risks associated with the use of raw ma terials and materials, optimize the use of Natural Resources, assess the compliance of the enterprise's activities with current legislation, develop priority measures and longterm policies in solving environmental problems (Fig. 1) [7,8].…”