Source analysis and health risk-assessment of ambient volatile organic compounds in automobile manufacturing processes

The sources and process-specific emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from an automobile manufacturing plant in Beijing, China were explored and monitored to assess the health risk from VOCs to workers of the automobile manufacturing plant. Eleven VOCs were detected in the air samples collected from the 12 working posts of five workshops of the automobile manufacturing plant using a meteorological chromatographic analytical method. The health risks exposed to VOCs were assessed using the probabilistic risk-assessment method, and the sensitivity and uncertainty analysis were conducted using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The results showed that VOCs mainly originated from the use and volatilization of chemical raw materials. The total carcinogenic risks were large owing to the high concentrations of benzene and ethylbenzene in various processes, suggesting a definite risk. The total non-carcinogenic risk in the paint shop was the highest, and the topcoat post, mixing paint post and basecoat post contributed to more than 70% of the total risk of this workshop. Exposure duration and concentration of VOCs had a greater impact on the health risk. These research findings may provide scientific basis for policy toward improving the health status of workers in automobile manufacturing enterprise in China.