Unequal Health Risks of Integrated Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted From Various Anthropogenic Sources

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from anthropogenic sources are critical precursors to ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA), and potential contributors to health risks. However, quantitatively estimating the impact of these source‐derived VOCs on air quality and health is limited by their diverse chemical compositions, resulting in nonselective mass‐based VOC control strategies. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive study of typical VOC samples freshly emitted from various flue gases via field‐based measurements and chemical analysis under the same quality control. Our results showed that different source‐specific VOC profiles have unequal sensitivities to chemical reactivity on ozone and SOA formation potential, as well as potential health risks. Mobile sources and residential solid fuel burning were identified as the most sensitive sources of potential secondary pollutants and potential inhalation health risks, respectively. Despite accounting for only 22.7% of the total mass, residential VOCs contributed significantly to both inhalation non‐cancer risk (NCR) (57.4%) and cancer risk (CR) (47.3%). The large inequality between residential VOC emissions and their health risks highlights the necessity of continuously promoting the transition from mass‐based VOC control to effect‐oriented VOC control. This suggests that mobile sources is worth more attention for secondary pollutant formation, while residential solid fuel burning sources should receive more policy priority to reduce health risks.