Analytical Design for Environmental Pollutants (PAH and VOCS) and Challenges

Abstract

Environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides have detrimental effect on environmental bodies (water, soil, air) and causing various human health problems (Linaskliucininkas et.al.,2010). The complex study presents indoor and outdoor levels of air-dust fine particles, particle-bound PAHs and VOCs.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of chemical compounds with a similar structure comprising two or more joined aromatic carbon rings. PAHs are compounds that consist of two or more benzene rings with no heteroatom or substituent (Baek et al., 1991). The chemical structure of PAHs, VOCs and pesticidesare shown in Table 1 and Table 2. The compounds are formed by combustion of fuels, biomass and waste materials. PAHs are carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds, causing irreversible changes in the structure and functioning of living organisms.Atmospheric PAHs come mainly from combustion of organics containing carbon. Although there are some PAHs generated from natural processes, human activities (such as vehicle emissions, industrial activities and domestic combustion of coals) are still the primary sources of PAHs in air. Some PAHs could be carcinogens, teratogens and mutagens, which are considered to be partly responsible for lung cancer(LinasKliucininkas et.al.,2010).