EGU25-1240, updated on 14 Mar 2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1240
EGU General Assembly 2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Poster | Friday, 02 May, 08:30–10:15 (CEST), Display time Friday, 02 May, 08:30–12:30
 
Hall X5, X5.127
Seasonality and health risk assessment of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a rural Seosan, South Korea
Avinash Shastri1, Jayant Nirmalkar2, Seunggi Kim1, Sangmin Oh1, Kwangyul Lee3, and Mijung Song1,2
Avinash Shastri et al.
  • 1Jeonbuk National University, Department of Environment and energy, Jeonju, Korea, Republic of
  • 2Jeonbuk National University, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Jeonju, Korea, Republic of
  • 3Division of Climate and Air Quality Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, Seosan, Korea, Republic of

Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in this study during four seasons (winter, summer, spring, and autumn) between 2020 to 2022, using gas chromatography equipped with a photoionization detector (PID), at Seosan, South Korea. The mean concentration of ∑34VOCs was 21.2 ± 26.6 µg/m3, with the highest levels measured in autumn (33.6 ± 40.4 µg/m3). The toluene/benzene ratio indicated industrial activities dominated in winter and spring, while solvent use and agriculture were key in autumn, with biomass burning common in both seasons. The secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAFP) was highest during autumn and summer, significantly contributing to PM2.5 levels. The Monte Carlo simulation revealed benzene concentrations frequently exceeded the permissible carcinogenic risk threshold (1 × 10-6), suggesting potential health hazards. Meanwhile, the non-carcinogenic risks of seven selected VOCs remained within acceptable limits (hazard quotient [HQ] < 1). The outcomes of the study emphasized the importance of understanding VOC characteristics, sources, and implications for public health.

How to cite: Shastri, A., Nirmalkar, J., Kim, S., Oh, S., Lee, K., and Song, M.: Seasonality and health risk assessment of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a rural Seosan, South Korea, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1240, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1240, 2025.