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PubMed2002

Measuring and modelling VOC biotransformation rates.

A new protocol was used to determine biotransformation rate coefficients for volatile organic compounds in activated sludge systems. The values obtained from the protocol were compared to biotransformation rates obtained from a pilot plant. It was seen that biotransformation rates were easier to obtain from the protocol. Observations also showed that acclimation of the microorganisms to the volatile organic compounds did not change the biotransformation rates. The experimental conditions were then modelled using TOXCHEM+, a mechanistic model to predict volatile organic compound behaviour. The TOXCHEM+ predictions, using system default biotransformation rates, compared favourably with the low biotransformation rates measured by the protocol for bromoform and the chlorinated compounds, while under predicting the biotransformation rates for the non-chlorinated volatile organic compounds.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed2006

Development of a novel monolith-bioreactor for the treatment of VOC-polluted air.

A novel bioreactor packed with ceramic monolith colonized by a toluene-degrading culture was investigated in order to assess its suitability for waste gas treatment. Operational parameters that were considered included start-up of the bioreactor, toluene loading rate, changes in gas flow rate, liquid feed mode, and steady-state operation. This is the first report on the treatment of toluene-polluted air in such a biological monolith reactor. Data on performance and stability have been obtained showing that this system is suitable for waste gas treatment. Removal efficiencies around 90% could be maintained at different gas flow rates, although this value gradually dropped when increasing the load above 30 g m(-3) h(-1). Interestingly, omitting the continuous feed of a liquid trickling phase improved the reactor's performance. One potential drawback that needs to be minimized is related to clogging after long term operation. Further studies aimed at optimizing this novel application would allow reaching a high performance under long-term, stable conditions.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1997

Screening of biofiltering material for VOC treatment.

Screening of biofiltering material for treatment of volatile organic compounds was performed by using a gas stream containing methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a target pollutant. Filtering media (FM) for screening were prepared by blending compost (such as pig and cow manure) and filling material (such as fern chips, wheat bran, and bagasse). Results show that a blend of pig manure/fern chips = 9:1 (wt basis) was superior with respect to the stability of the pH and the water-holding capacity of the FM and in the capacity for treating the target compound. Complete removal of the target compound was obtained at an organic loading of 100 g per cubic meter of filtering media per hour. By using the screened FM for treating MEK and toluene, long-term stability (> 1,200 hours) and complete removal can be obtained at an organic loading of 50 g per cubic meter of FM per hour for either compound.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

VOC elimination in a compost biofilter using a previously acclimated bacterial inoculum.

A comparison of biodegradation efficiencies was done for volatile benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and o-xylene elimination in a compost biofilter. The column was first exposed to a synthetic mixture and then a free phase product mixture containing these compounds at increasing pollutant loads. The optimal moisture content of the system was determined, and this was used in the biodegradation experiments. An acclimated culture was used as an inoculum for the biofilter, the matrix of which consisted of composted forestry products, composted sewage sludge, lime, and perlite. Inlet and outlet concentrations were measured, and pollutant loads, elimination capacities, and removal efficiencies were determined for each of the compounds. Optimal moisture content for this system was found to be 40%, and the short lag times (one to five days) in acclimating to the compounds was ascribed to the presence of the well-acclimated inoculum. The compounds in the synthetic mixture had higher removal efficiencies (80-99%) even at the higher pollutant loads experienced, with the exception of o-xylene. Dynamic removal efficiencies and acclimation periods were seen in the free phase product mixture, with a removal efficiency range from 70 to 95%. This was attributed to the presence of chlorinated aliphatics in the free phase product.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

VOC exposures in a mixed-use university art building.

Despite a sizable educational art enterprise in the United States there is a dearth of rigorously performed studies of exposures to persons engaged in such activities. Exposures to 45 EPA-designated volatile organic compounds were examined in printmakers in a mixed-use university art school served by a 100% exhausted mechanical ventilation system. Personal exposures (n = 90) were compared with area concentrations (n = 36) in the studio area and at a second location at the same facility. For personal exposure assessments a cohort of 12 students wore passive dosimeters twice weekly over a 6-week period. Numerous compounds were found, the most prevalent being toluene at an average concentration of 64.6 microg/m3 (17.1 ppb; range < 1-319 ppb); 1,1,1, trichloroethane at 40.5 microg/m3 (7.5 ppb; range < 1-211 ppb); xylenes at 8.0 microg/m3 (1.8 ppb; range < 1-43 ppb); 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene at 6.2 microg/m3 (1.3 ppb; range < .3-32 ppb); propyl benzene at 5.0 microg/m3 (1.0 ppb; range < .5-27 ppb); methylene chloride at 4.9 microg/m3 (1.4 ppb; range < 1-10 ppb); and ethyl benzene at 4.5 microg/m3 (1.1 ppb; range < .4-23 ppb). Personal exposures were considerably higher than average area air concentrations, with the exception of methylene chloride concentrations, which were five times higher at the print cleaning operation. Floors where solvents were not used had no detectable exposures (typical lower limit of detection approximately 1 ppb) and were free of solvent odors. Despite frequent solvent contact with skin, personal protective equipment was seldom used. Results indicate that in mixed-use facilities such as this, nonrecirculating general ventilation systems can effectively eliminate indoor air quality issues between floors, despite perceptible odors on solvent use floors. For total exposure assessments in such processes, contact exposures from printmaking solvents during cleaning procedures are a potentially important consideration.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

Gas phase reduction of chlorinated VOCs by zero valent iron.

The removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) by reduction with elemental iron was examined in batch reactors representing three phase gaseous systems (Fe0 (solid), water vapor + TCE vapor + air mixture (gaseous), and condensed water on Fe0 surface (aqueous)) and two phase aqueous systems (Fe0 (solid), water (aqueous)) as the reaction medium. Two separate removal mechanisms were found for TCE removal in the gas phase reactors: (1) adsorption onto the Fe0 surface under low relative humidity (RH), and (2) reaction with Fe0 to form other organic compounds, such as ethylene, isomers of dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride under 100% RH conditions in the gas phase. The adsorption of TCE vapor onto the Fe0 surface was fast initially and highest at low temperatures. The reduction reaction of TCE in the gas phase was first order with respect to the TCE concentration remaining in the gas phase under conditions of 100% RH at 15, 22, and 35 degrees C, and the observed reaction rate constant (kobs) exhibited a maximum at elevated temperatures. The estimated kobs values for the degradation of dissolved TCE in aqueous systems were the same order of magnitude with the rate constants in the gas phase and exhibited an increasing rate at higher temperatures. The results suggest that Fe0 represents an economical choice for vapor phase barriers to limit the spread of contaminants in soil gas and reduce fugitive air emissions from contaminated sites.

Absorption↗
PubMed1999

Chamber testing of adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on material surfaces.

A simple test chamber method to quantify adsorption and desorption of organic compounds on material surfaces is described. Important environmental parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and air velocity were varied and controlled independently around typical indoor values. Experiments were performed with alpha-pinene and toluene in concentrations of 160-300 micrograms/m3. The measurements show adsorption on and desorption from wool carpet, nylon carpet, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor coverings, cotton curtain material and the empty chamber. The ranking of the materials, with respect to their sorption capacity, is as mentioned above. The adsorption of alpha-pinene was higher than the adsorption of toluene for all the materials. Air velocity was not found to influence the sorption of alpha-pinene and toluene on wool carpet, tested with air velocities at 0, 10 and 20 cm/s. The experiments were carried out during both the adsorption and the desorption phase. The uncertainty of the experiments was lowest during the desorption phase. Based on the results obtained, it can be recommended that sorption experiments should be performed as desorption phase experiments. A one-sink model, based on the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, appears adequate to describe the results.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2004

Missing OH reactivity in a forest: evidence for unknown reactive biogenic VOCs.

Forest emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), such as isoprene and other terpenes, play a role in the production of tropospheric ozone and aerosols. In a northern Michigan forest, the direct measurement of total OH reactivity, which is the inverse of the OH lifetime, was significantly greater than expected. The difference between measured and expected OH reactivity, called the missing OH reactivity, increased with temperature, as did emission rates for terpenes and other BVOCs. These measurements are consistent with the hypothesis that unknown reactive BVOCs, perhaps terpenes, provide the missing OH reactivity.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1995

Coupling transport and biodegradation of VOCs in surface and subsurface soils.

Volatile organic chemicals present at Superfund sites preferentially partition into the soil gas and may be available for microbial degradation. A simple mass transfer model for biodegradation for volatile substrates has been developed for the aerobic decomposition of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The mass transfer analysis calculates diffusive fluxes from soil gas through water and membrane films and into the cell. This model predicts an extreme sensitivity of potential biodegradation rates to the air-water partition coefficients of the compounds. Aromatic hydrocarbons are removed rapidly while the aliphatic hydrocarbons are much slower by orders of magnitude. Furthermore, oxygen transfer is likely to limit aromatic hydrocarbon degradation rates. The model presents results that cast doubt on the practicality of using methane or propane for the co-metabolic destruction of trichloroethylene in a gas phase bioreactor. Toluene as a primary substrate has better mass transfer characteristics to achieve more efficient trichloroethylene degradation. Hence, in sites where these contaminants coexist, bioremediation could be improved.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1984

The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water.

Assessments of drinking water safety rely on the assumption that ingestion represents the principal route of exposure. A review of the experimental literature revealed that skin penetration rates for solvents are remarkably high, and that the stratum corneum is a less effective barrier to penetration than traditionally assumed. Based on published skin absorption rates, we used Fick's law (Jos = Kop delta Cos) to determine permeability constants for selected compounds. We then calculated dose per kilogram for nine different exposure situations and compared this to the oral dose per kilogram. We found that skin absorption contributed from 29-91 per cent of the total dose, averaging 64 per cent. Dose per kilogram body weight ranged from .0002 mg/kg-.18 mg/kg, with an average of .03 mg/kg. In weak aqueous solutions, flux of the solute is directly proportional to concentration. Laboratory approaches differ markedly from environmental exposures and can underestimate absorption. We conclude that skin absorption of contaminants in drinking water has been underestimated and that ingestion may not constitute the sole or even primary route of exposure.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

Headspace/solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: a screening technique for the recovery and identification of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in postmortem blood and viscera samples.

This paper describes the application of Headspace/Solid-Phase Microextraction/Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS/SPME/GC-MS) to the recovery and identification of volatile organic compounds in blood and viscera samples from deceased persons. The technique is used as a screening procedure to rapidly obtain information relating to toxicological investigations. The technique is suitable for the detection of volatiles (of wide boiling range) including butane, halothane, toluene, xylenes, and petrol residues in blood and viscera (lung, brain, and body fat).

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Advanced analytical determination of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and other major contaminants in water samples using GC-ion trap MS.

The GC-Ion Trap MS is recently one of the most efficient instrumental analysis recommended for understanding the chemistry of volatile organic compounds, not only in water but even in the food chain and other environmental media (air and soil). Results of the experiment conducted on water samples from Kuguri and Yatsutani sampling stations showed considerably higher levels of organic enrichment (COD = 10 mg/L and 11 mg/L respectively). Total concentrations of Pb (0.072 mg/L and 0.093 mg/L) and Cd (0.004 mg/L and 0.011 mg/L) on the other hand, invariably exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for human health and the living environment (Pb = 0.005 mg/L; Cd = 0.001 mg/L respectively). And the toxicity levels for these contaminants at LC50 showed critical impact on rainbow trout (hypersensitive species) at 0.14 mg/L for Pb and 0.007 mg/L for Cd in 96 hours respectively. Although these major contaminants including phenol and 3-, 4-cresol, showed relatively higher toxicity impact in the experimental media, it would remain contentious to justify any associated potential dangers without regular routine water monitoring, at least for a period of one year. Nevertheless, the data could serve as a benchmark through which other phenomena can easily be investigated.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Improvement of a wind-tunnel sampling system for odour and VOCs.

Wind-tunnel systems are widely used for collecting odour emission samples from surface area sources. Consequently, a portable wind-tunnel system was developed at the University of New South Wales that was easy to handle and suitable for sampling from liquid surfaces. Development work was undertaken to ensure even air-flows above the emitting surface and to optimise air velocities to simulate real situations. However, recovery efficiencies for emissions have not previously been studied for wind-tunnel systems. A series of experiments was carried out for determining and improving the recovery rate of the wind-tunnel sampling system by using carbon monoxide as a tracer gas. It was observed by mass balance that carbon monoxide recovery rates were initially only 37% to 48% from a simulated surface area emission source. It was therefore apparent that further development work was required to improve recovery efficiencies. By analysing the aerodynamic character of air movement and CO transportation inside the wind-tunnel, it was determined that the apparent poor recoveries resulted from uneven mixing at the sample collection point. A number of modifications were made for the mixing chamber of the wind-tunnel system. A special sampling chamber extension and a sampling manifold with optimally distributed sampling orifices were developed for the wind-tunnel sampling system. The simulation experiments were repeated with the new sampling system. Over a series of experiments, the recovery efficiency of sampling was improved to 83-100% with an average of 90%, where the CO tracer gas was introduced at a single point and 92-102% with an average of 97%, where the CO tracer gas was introduced along a line transverse to the sweep air. The stability and accuracy of the new system were determined statistically and are reported.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Investigation of natural VOC emitted from tropical vegetations in China.

Twenty-three kinds of typical plants in Xishuangbanna, the tropical area of southwestern China, were screened to estimate the emission rates of isoprene and monoterpenes by adopting bag-enclosure and curette sampling methods followed by a GC-FID analysis. It was found that the Ficus species were mainly emitting isoprene and most tropical vegetations were mainly releasing monoterpenes. The results also showed that the emissions of isoprene were affected by both temperature and PAR(Photosynthetic Active Radiation), while monoterpene emissions were mainly temperature-dependent.

Butadienes↗