Levels and source apportionment of volatile organic compounds in southwestern area of Mexico City.
Thirteen volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were quantified at three sites in southwestern Mexico City from July 2000 to February 2001. High concentrations of different VOCs were found at a Gasoline refueling station (GS), a Condominium area (CA), and at the University Center for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS). The most abundant VOCs at CA and CAS were propane, n-butane, toluene, acetylene and pentane. In comparison, at GS the most abundant were toluene, pentane, propane, n-butane, and acetylene. Benzene, a known carcinogenic compound had average levels of 28, 35 and 250ppbC at CAS, CA, and GS respectively. The main contributing sources of the measured VOCs at CA and CAS were the handling and management of LP (Liquid Propane) gas, vehicle exhaust, asphalt works, and use of solvents. At GS almost all of the VOCs came from vehicle exhaust and fuel evaporation, although components of LP gas were also present. Based on the overall results possible abatement strategies are discussed.
Rodolfo Sosa
E
E
Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510, D.F., Mexico.
Humberto Bravo
A
A
Violeta Mugica
A
A
Pablo Sanchez
A
A
Emma Bueno
L
L
Krupa
Sagar
S
D000114:Acetylene / Q000032:analysis; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis; D002073:Butanes / Q000032:analysis; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis; D002947:Cities; D005742:Gasoline; D006798:Housing; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008800:Mexico; D010420:Pentanes / Q000032:analysis; D011407:Propane / Q000032:analysis; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D014835:Volatilization
D000393:Air Pollutants; D002073:Butanes; D002273:Carcinogens; D005742:Gasoline; D007220:Industrial Waste; D010420:Pentanes; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D014050:Toluene; C033353:pentane; C046888:butane; D001554:Benzene; D000114:Acetylene; D011407:Propane