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Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds: Concentration Characteristics and Health Risk Analysis on a University Campus

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  • Shengjia Jin

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Lu Zhong

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Xueyi Zhang

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Xinhe Li

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Bowei Li

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Xuekun Fang

    (College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    Center for Global Change Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA)

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major indoor air pollutants that contain several toxic substances. However, there are few studies on health risk assessments of indoor VOCs in China. This study aimed to determine the concentration characteristics of VOCs on college campuses by collecting VOC samples from different locations on campus during different seasons combined with the exposure times of college students in each location obtained from a questionnaire survey to assess the possible health risks. The highest total VOC concentration (254 ± 101 µg/m 3 ) was in the dormitory. The seasonal variation of TVOC concentrations was related to the variation of emission sources in addition to temperature. Health risk assessments of VOCs were evaluated using non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk values, represented by hazard quotient ( HQ ) and lifetime cancer risk ( LCR ), respectively. The non-carcinogenic risks at all sampling sites were within the safe range ( HQ < 1). Dormitories had the highest carcinogenic risk, whereas the carcinogenic risk in the other three places was low (with LCR < 1.0 × 10 −6 ). Moreover, 1,2-dichloroethane was identified as a possible carcinogenic risk substance in the dormitory due to its high LCR (1.95 × 10 −6 ). This study provides basic data on health risks in different locations on campus and a basis for formulating measures to improve people’s living environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Shengjia Jin & Lu Zhong & Xueyi Zhang & Xinhe Li & Bowei Li & Xuekun Fang, 2023. "Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds: Concentration Characteristics and Health Risk Analysis on a University Campus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5829-:d:1147795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gianluigi De Gennaro & Genoveffa Farella & Annalisa Marzocca & Antonio Mazzone & Maria Tutino, 2013. "Indoor and Outdoor Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds in School Buildings: Indicators Based on Health Risk Assessment to Single out Critical Issues," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-19, November.
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