title: Environmental risk assessment and concentration trend of atmospheric volatile organic compounds in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions on hazardousness and photochemical reactivity and to propose efficient VOCs abatement strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The atmospheric concentrations of 101 components of VOCs were measured at six sites which comprehend four urban areas, a roadside area, and an industrial area in Hyogo Prefecture. VOCs influence on hazardousness and photochemical reactivity were evaluated using VOCs measured data and the index on the health effect evaluation and ozone formation potential. The substances that require emissions reduction were selected from the evaluation results. The state and characteristics of environmental pollution were considered from the concentration trends of the selected substances.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In industrial area, n-hexadecane, styrene, vinyl chloride monomer, and 1,2-dichloroethane showed a high concentration. In roadside area, n-hexane, n-undecane, n-dodecane, tetrachloroethylene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and 1-butanol showed a high concentration. The excess cancer incidences for formaldehyde exceeded 10(-5) of the level of concern for carcinogenic effect at all sites. Toluene had a high percentage of ozone production. The interannual and seasonal trends of toluene concentrations were different at a regional level and the formaldehyde concentrations in summer were significantly higher than those in winter at the urban sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show the need to prepare the emission reduction plan for the major sources such as vehicle exhaust, solvent use, and industrial processes to diminish the concentration of toluene that contributes significantly to the formation of photochemical oxidant.
authors: Hyogo Prefectural Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hyogo, Japan.
authors: Yasushi
authors: Y
authors: Okada
authors: Akihiro
authors: A
authors: Nakagoshi
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Tsurukawa
authors: Chisato
authors: C
authors: Matsumura
authors: Jiro
authors: J
authors: Eiho
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Nakano
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D002947:Cities; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005027:Ethylene Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis; D007564:Japan; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D010777:Photochemistry; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000447:Aldehydes; D007220:Industrial Waste; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D010126:Ozone; D005027:Ethylene Oxide