Source Apportionment, Environmental Impact and Health Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds in Dezhou, North China
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the main precursors of ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), posing a significant threat to the environment and human health. In this study, the characteristics, potential for the generation of O3 and SOAs, sources and health risks of volatile organic compounds were investigated based on annual monitoring data for 2021 in Dezhou, which is located in the northwest of Shandong Province, China, and adjacent to the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. The results showed that the ambient VOC concentrations were lower in spring and summer and higher in autumn and winter. The species contributing to the O3 formation potential (OFP) and SOA formation potential (SOAFP) varied by season, but those with high contributions were all olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons. O3 pollution occurred frequently in summer, with a proportion of 40.22%. Focusing on summer, six sources were identified through the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, with the petrochemical industry (26.1%) and combustion (25.6%) being the primary sources. The non-carcinogenic risk values of the involved 18 toxic VOCs were all within the safety threshold, while the carcinogenic risk of benzene was regarded as low-probability under long-term exposure. This study provides significant support for targeted control of air pollutant emissions and improvement in regional air quality.