Local impact of the ambient volatile organics from a synthetic organic industrial complex

Samples in the ambient air of an industrial community, containing a synthetic organic chemical industry complex, were collected in the cold season in southern Taiwan for analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Canister samples were collected at five sampling sites and fourteen species of benzene derivatives were measured. The results indicated that the VOC concentrations ranged between 47 and 120 µg/m³. In the industrial complex and its prevalent downwind region, the ambient volatile organic concentrations were 2-fold higher than those measured in the upwind station. The characteristic ratios of several VOCs at the industrial complex and in its prevalent downwind region within distance of 1 km were similar, which were different from those of other sites. The volatile organic concentration in the nearby downwind region was higher during nighttime, caused by high emissions from other sources.