Tracing volatile organic compounds in sewers

Abstract

A combined method of passive and active sampling of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a sewer system is presented. Passive sampling devices are used to locate and identify volatile organic compounds in the sewer atmosphere. Passive sampling is a time-integrating method and its results are only qualitative. To get quantitative information active sampling of wastewater is necessary. Concentrations of VOCs obtained from active sampling are used as input values for a simplified form of the two-film-model. This model allows to compute concentrations of VOCs at different points in a sewer stretch. We employed this method to describe the behaviour of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons within a sewer stretch in Bayreuth, Germany.

Dynamics of Volatile Sulfur Compounds and Volatile Organic Compounds in Sewer Headspace Air

“…This is likely due to differences in the origins of the two compound groups. While both VOCs and VSCs originate from biological processes within the sewers (Hvitved-Jacobsen et al 2002;Rudelle et al 2011), many VOCs are also associated with domestic and/or trade waste discharges (Haas and Herrmann 1996;Haas and Herrmann 1998;Nikolaou et al 2002).…”

“…Existing studies have demonstrated the range of VSCs (Chan and Hanaeus 2006;Kangas et al 1986;Thistlethwayte and Goleb 1973;Wang et al 2014) and VOCs (Corsi et al 1995;Haas and Herrmann 1996;Haas and Herrmann 1998;Huang et al 2012) present in sewer networks. While there is variability from site to site with regards to specific concentrations and dominance of some of the compounds, there is consensus (Sivret et al 2016) on the range of compounds that may be of interest .…”

Estimating Cancer Risk Increment from Air Pollutant Exposure for Sewer Workers Working in an Industrial City

“…Besides, sewer pipe environments are characterized owing to being enclosed and poorly ventilated. Consequently, complicated air pollutants may be produced through the physical, chemical or biological reactions in sewers, and the accumulation of hazardous air pollutants may harm the health of sewer workers (Paxeus et al, 1992;Haas and Herrmann, 1996;Watt et al, 1997;Haas and Herrmann, 1998;Devai and DeLaune, 1999;Lee et al, 2002;Huisman et al, 2004;Ohuraa et al, 2006;Choosong et al, 2010). Many studies have examined fatalities occurring in sewerage chambers and pipes, with sewer workers suffering injury or death from chemicals released into sewerage system or from explosions in sewer systems (Veldkamp et al, 1998;Bordado and Comes, 2001;Bridges, 2003;Padosch et al, 2005).…”