The emission inventory, emission factor, and spatial concentration distribution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a petrochemical industry (aromatics plant) were intensively evaluated in this study to elucidate the potential sources of BTX emission and their contribution to ambient concentrations. Five emission groups were quantified through direct measurement and emission models. These data were then used as input for the AERMOD dispersion model for the source apportionment analysis. The source to ambient contribution analysis revealed that a wastewater treatment facility and organic liquid storage tank were major contributors accounting for about 20.6–88.4% and 10.3–75.4% to BTX environmental concentrations, respectively. The highest annual ambient concentrations of benzene (B), toluene (T), and xylenes (X) were predicted as 9.0, 2.8, and 57.9 µg/m³ at the fence line of the plant boundary, respectively. These findings assist policymakers in prioritizing the appropriate control measures to the right source by considering not just the amount released but also their contribution to ambient concentrations. This study suggested that the wastewater treatment unit should be changed to the closed system which will benefit reduction in its emission (45.05%) as well as effectively minimizing ambient VOC concentration by 49.96% compared to its normal operation.

Indoor air pollution has become a significant concern, contributing to the decline in air quality through the presence of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter, especially under poor ventilation. Hospitals, functioning as non-industrial microenvironments, particularly in Thailand, face challenges due to insufficient and incomplete databases for effective air quality management. Within these environments, patients with heightened sensitivity, along with hospital staff who are predominantly exposed indoors, face increased risk of exposure to indoor air pollutants. This study aimed to review current evidence on VOCs in hospital settings in Thailand, identifying their sources, concentrations, and health impacts. It also aimed to provide recommendations for improved air quality monitoring and management. The review included studies published between 2008 and 2023 in English or Thai. Studies were selected based on relevance to VOCs in hospital environments, while excluding those lacking sufficient data or methodological rigor. Literature searches were conducted using Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and PubMed. Results from international studies were also considered to address gaps. Data extraction focused on VOC sources, concentrations, measurement methods, and associated health impacts. Results were synthesized into six thematic categories: characterization, health effects, control measures, etiological studies, monitoring systems, and comparative studies. The review identified 87 relevant studies. VOC exposure was associated with several adverse health impacts resulting from short- and long-term exposures, leading to an increased risk of cancer. Identified sources of VOC emissions within hospitals encompass anesthetic gases, sterilization processes, pharmaceuticals, laboratory chemicals, patient care, and household products, as well as building materials and furnishings. Commonly encountered VOCs include alcohols (e.g., ethanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, isopropanol), ether, isoflurane, nitrous oxide, sevoflurane, chlorine, formaldehyde, aromatic hydrocarbons, limonene, and glutaraldehyde, among those commonly detected in hospital environments. Yet, limited knowledge exists regarding their source contributions, emissions, and concentrations associated with health impacts in Thai hospitals.

The purpose of this research was to explicate a human health risk assessment that can be employed with inhalation risk estimates to provide a screening level of risks. Model input parameters provide reasonable values with the site- and compound-specific values relied on by the Human Health Risk Assessment Protocol (HHRAP). This method uses a generic risk assessment, consisting of air dispersion and deposition modeling followed by risk modeling. An intensive evaluation was conducted in the surrounding area of the largest petroleum and petrochemical estate in Thailand, the Maptaphut industrial area, where a large volume of VOCs was emitted, with an increasing negative health impact on the local population. The potential inhalation health risk assessment showed that the lifetime cancer risk in all residential areas is higher than the health benchmarks. The highest cancer risk was 7.82 × 10⁻² in children and 3.91 × 10⁻¹ in adults. The inhalation effects are based on the specific emission rates, the united concentrations and deposition fluxes, and the emission phase. The results revealed that four VOCs (benzene, 1,3-butadiene, vinyl chloride, and 1,2-dichloroethane) should be given priority when controlling for sustainable health risk management through the comprehensive analysis of the integrated analysis of air dispersion and health risk mathematical models.

The automotive industry is a significant source of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, particularly from solvent-based painting processes. This study evaluated VOC characteristics and distribution to assess associated health risks for workers and communities at varying distances from automotive painting facilities in Thailand, focusing on stacks and wastewater treatment plants that handle solvent-containing wastewater. The findings revealed aromatic compounds were predominant (66% of the total emissions), followed by oxygenated VOCs (26%). The stacks mainly emitted aromatics such as toluene and ethylbenzene, whereas the wastewater released oxygenated VOCs, particularly methyl isobutyl ketone and methyl ethyl ketone. The exposure concentrations in each area were primarily influenced by wind direction, with higher levels observed by downwind. The hazard index for areas was less than 1, indicating safe noncarcinogenic risk levels. The lifetime cancer risk showed that ethylbenzene posed a probable risk in all areas (maximum 8.15 × 10⁻⁶ μg/m³), whereas 1,2-dichloroethane exhibited a probable risk within 200 meters of the facility (maximum 4.13 × 10⁻⁵ μg/m³). This study supports the development of comprehensive emission standards covering health-related compounds and guides residential planning to avoid potential health impacts.