Seasonal and Temporal Variations in Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor and Outdoor Air in Al-Jahra City, Kuwait

Abstract

Indoor and outdoor air samples were simultaneously collected from the largest office building in Jahra City during 57 sampling events between August 2010 and November 2011. The collected samples were analyzed for 78 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using CO2 cryogenic preconcentration and GC/MS analysis. Of the 48 VOCs detected, the toluene concentration exceeded the recommended air quality guidelines in 2% of the outdoor samples, and the benzene concentration exceeded these guidelines in 17.5% and 19.5% of the indoor and outdoor samples, respectively. Industrial and vehicle emissions were negligible. Emissions from oil fields, various crude oil production and flaring activities in the north were major sources of VOCs in the ambient air. The VOC profiles; seasonal, monthly, and weekday/weekend variations; and their effects on ozone formation potentials are discussed. The results indicate that the most abundant class of chemical compounds was oxygenated compounds, of which acetone, acetaldehyde, propanal, methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol were the most dominant species. Propene and toluene were the most abundant species of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, respectively.

Assessment of indoor levels of volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide in schools in Kuwait

“…These efforts will lead to more efficient HVAC performance, preservation of the local environment, and minimization of ozone depleting potential (ODP) and legacy greenhouse gas (GHG) through total management of effective refrigerant use. The high levels of R22 found in indoor environments, and lower levels found in outdoor air, mainly on roofs and in yards, were similar to those reported by others (Al-Khulaifi et al, 2014;Al-Mudhaf et al, 2013). Poor chemical handling and storage was the major source of high concentrations of VOCs in all school hot spots: teachers and students apparently required further training in proper handling of chemicals.…”

“…VOCs are the most prevalent indoor air pollutants that originate from consumer products, building materials, and outdoor sources; some VOCs are toxic or carcinogenic (Dewulf and Langenhove, 1999;Guo et al, 2004;Srivastava et al, 2005), and others are linked to SBS (Babatsikou, 2011;Mendell, 1993). Very few studies in Kuwait have focused on indoor environments such as schools, homes, offices, and restaurants, although these are the most pertinent exposure sites for a considerable percentage of the Kuwaiti population (Al-Dabbous et al, 2013;Al-Hubail and Al-Temeemi, 2015;Alhumoud et al, 2012;Al-Khulaifi et al, 2014;Al-Mudhaf et al, 2013;Al-Rashidi et al, 2012;Bouhamra, 1995;Bouhamra et al, 1997;Elkilani and Bouhamra, 2001). Alhumoud et al (2012) have investigated traffic contribution of VOCs to the airshed of Kuwait.…”

“…VOCs in downtown areas were mainly due to road traffic, whereas in southern Kuwait VOCs were from industries. -Khulaifi et al (2014) discussed seasonal and temporal variations in VOC levels in indoor and outdoor air in Al-Jahra City from the data of Al-Mudhaf et al (2013). They reported 2% exceedance of toluene (260 µg m −3 or 69 ppb) in the ambient air and 17.5% for benzene (5 µg m −3 or 1.6 ppb) in indoor and 19.5% in outdoor air from European standards.…”

“…Eight-hour samples have shown higher variation in TVOC values than 24-hr air samples due to VOC generation during working hours. Alhumoud et al (2012), Al-Mudhaf et al (2013), andAl-Khulaifi et al (2014) had measured VOCs in indoor environment with restrictive application of instruments and limited analysis of their results, which has necessitated the present detailed study of VOCs in schools in Kuwait. Cornaro et al (2011) have discussed indoor CO 2 levels as a measure of effectiveness natural trickle ventilation in middle school in Italy and concluded that further assistance was required to achieve adequate air quality for the occupants.…”

Assessment of BTEX Concentrations in Air Ambient of Gas Stations Using Passive Sampling and the Health Risks for Workers

“…These compounds are emitted to the atmosphere by the vehicle fleet (fossil fuel combustion and evaporative losses), gas stations (distribution and storage of fuels) and industrial processes [5] [6] [7], and are classified as priority environmental pollutants because of the high toxicity and mobility [8]. Among the BTEX compounds, benzene is considered the most dangerous and has become one of the most intensely regulated substances in the world to be classified as carcinogenic to humans (group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer-IARC [9].…”