Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Volatile Organic Compounds in India: Concentration and Sources

Abstract

Manisha Gaur *,Rina Singh ,Anuradha Shukla

This article highlights the key observation of various studies conducted in Indian scenario. In India, the major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are vehicle exhaust. Other sources include emissions from diesel internal combustion engines, oceanic emission and evaporative emissions. Various aspects of VOCs are studied in detail by various authors in the Indian context. VOC sampling methods vary from each other depending on the techniques, the type of adsorbent used, and the method of extraction, analysis and identification techniques. In India, the most widely used method for VOCs sampling are pre-concentration on sorbent tubes or whole air (grab sampling) sample taken in canisters or tedlar bags. From the studies, it can be concluded that ambient VOCs show a clear seasonal pattern and found to be higher during winter months due to temperature inversion in Delhi and Kolkata. For better understanding; accurate characterisation of vehicular emission contribution is required for the country like India.