Temporal-Spatial Characteristics of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) near Petrochemical Industrial Complex using PTR-ToF-MS

Abstract Petrochemical complexes cause local air pollution and deteriorate the health of local residents by emitting a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study used a real-time analysis system to check the spatiotemporal distribution of pollutants discharged from petrochemical complexes. The proton transfer reaction time of a flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) was used as the measurement system. We performed measurements from July 21 to 26, 2021, mobile observations from July 21 to 22, 2021 and fixed observations from July 23 to 26, 2021. Meteorological analysis indicated that the prevailing wind direction was northwesterly, and pollutants discharged from industrial complexes in upwind regions have a high impact on villages in downwind regions. Mobile observation confirmed high concentrations in the section with the village hall, raw petroleum storage, landfill, and petrochemical production process. Methanol and acetone were in high concentrations at all times, and the concentrations of acetaldehyde, acetone, acetic acid, methylethyl ketone, and toluene increased once the production process started. The concentrations of benzene, known carcinogens, were particularly high, at times exceeding the acceptable threshold, indicating the need for improvement measures in the future.