Determination of spatial distributions and sources of volatile organic compunds by passive sampling methodology in kutahya region

Passive sampling studies were carried out to determine spatial, seasonal distribution of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and their possible sources in Kutahya province. Two-week VOC samples were collected during winter and summer period. In addition, to determinate the oxidative potential generation capacity of particulate matter samples collected daily on quartz filters, studies were done in the same study area. Analysis of VOC samples were carried out by using Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and analysis of PM samples to determine oxidative potential generation capacity were carried out using by Electro Spin Resonance (ESR) system. Spatial and seasonal distributions of VOCs were visualized by creating pollutant maps by using Geographic Information System. In general, total VOC concentrations were higher in winter than the summer values. Evaluation of the spatial distribution of the pollutants showed that the levels were higher near the thermal power plant, in areas with the traffic density, and at Kütahya city center. VOC and NO2, SO2 data, which were measured in the same region, were used in Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to define sources in the region that showed the relative effects of diesel fuel, traffic, solvent evaporation / industrial activities and the burning of coal . Within helath-related studies, carcinogenic risk values as a result of lifelong exposure to benzene for each sampling point were estimated. For both seasons, the calculated risk values for 80% of the sampling locations were found to exceed the EPA acceptable risk level of 1x10-6. On the other hand,OH radical formation potencials of urban PM2.5 samples were found to be significantly higher than those of rural samples (p<0.05). Seasonal variations of the ROS generation capacities of PM samples were also investigated. The median value of ROS generation capacities of summer urban PM samples was found to be higher than the median value of the rural PM samples (p<0.05) Keywords: Volatile Organic Compounds, Passive Sampling, Carcinogenic risk, Oxidative potential generation capacity, Positive Matrix Factorization