Human health risk assessment and distribution of VOCs in a chemical site, Weinan, China

Abstract

Abstract The study assessed the volatile organic compound (VOC) pollution characteristics in a chemical site in Weinan, China. The results indicated that chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, ethylbenzene, 1,2-dichloropropane, and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane exceeded the soil standard limit for soil contamination of development land (GB36600, PRC). Using pollution index, ambient severity, and correlation coefficient revealed industrial production and relocation activities as sources of VOCs contamination in the site. The carcinogenic risk assessed by human exposure to site VOCs through ingestion, respiration, exposure, etc., exceeded the potentially acceptable level (1.0 × 10−6). 1,2,3-trichloropropane has the highest carcinogenic risk across all pathways, regions, and populations. The long-term exposure and emission of VOCs in the investigated sites could likely pose an adverse health risk to site staff and the surrounding sensitive groups. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out strict investigation and evaluation of the site, and timely repair and control to protect the water, soil, and air environment and to avoid the long-term cumulative exposure risk to human health caused by VOCs emission.