UNMIX Methods Applied to Characterize Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds in Toronto, Ontario

Abstract

UNMIX, a sensor modeling routine from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was used to model volatile organic compound (VOC) receptors in four urban sites in Toronto, Ontario. VOC ambient concentration data acquired in 2000–2009 for 175 VOC species in four air quality monitoring stations were analyzed. UNMIX, by performing multiple modeling attempts upon varying VOC menus—while rejecting the results that were not reliable—allowed for discriminating sources by their most consistent chemical characteristics. The method assessed occurrences of VOCs in sources typical of the urban environment (traffic, evaporative emissions of fuels, banks of fugitive inert gases), industrial point sources (plastic-, polymer-, and metalworking manufactures), and in secondary sources (releases from water, sediments, and contaminated urban soil). The remote sensing and robust modeling used here produces chemical profiles of putative VOC sources that, if combined with known environmental fates of VOCs, can be used to assign physical sources’ shares of VOCs emissions into the atmosphere. This in turn provides a means of assessing the impact of environmental policies on one hand, and industrial activities on the other hand, on VOC air pollution.

A Review of Volatile Organic Compound Contamination in Post-Industrial Urban Centers: Reproductive Health Implications Using a Detroit Lens

“…People are exposed to volatile contaminants through dermal contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Prevalence of VOCs in the airshed overlying urban landscapes has been well studied and are especially problematic [ 8 , 9 ], negatively influencing human health [ 10 , 11 ]. Of particular concern in urban areas are persistently poor maternal/child health outcomes.…”

Numerical Simulation Investigation of a Double Skin Transpired Solar Air Collector

“…However, this led us to ask ourselves several open questions about the durability of such materials for this type of technology. First, plastic-based materials can be harmful to air quality and health [22,23]. Indeed, they can release fine plastic particles or even release harmful particles when they heat up.…”

Nanomaterial-based VOC sensing applications and a deep dive into their developmental trends

“…Anthropogenic VOCs Anthropogenic VOCs are those that are emitted as a result of human activities. 34 The most common sources for anthropogenic VOCs can be classied into outdoor sources such as oil reneries, traffic exhaust, industrial processes, pesticides, contaminated groundwater, human generated waste, fugitive emissions from pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing processes, etc., 35 and indoor sources such as detergents, cooking, dirty clothes, cleaning solutions, furniture, aerosol products, bleach, disinfectants, wall paints, air fresheners, etc. 36,37 1.3.…”

“…63,64 Anthropogenic VOCs like benzo(A) pyrene, chloroform, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, methane, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and many more are a threat to humanity due to their toxicity, frequency, and exposure. 35,65,66 There are also many VOCs that are known to be carcinogenic, such as benzene, acetaldehyde, ethylene oxide, etc. They fall under IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) group 1.…”