To investigate composition characteristics and assess occupational health risks and odor pollution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from industrial activities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, China, one-year field measurements of VOCs were conducted simultaneously at an iron and steel industrial park (ISP), one chemical industrial park (CMP) and one petrochemical industrial park (PCP) from September, 2018 to August, 2019. The concentrations of VOCs were 80.2 ± 67.9 ppbv, 28.1 ± 27.2 ppbv and 144 ± 378 ppbv for ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively. Aromatics, alkanes and alkenes were the major components of VOCs at ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively. Moreover, the toluene to benzene ratios were 0.330 ± 0.302, 4.31 ± 6.48 and 1.84 ± 3.34, which generally showed the characteristics of combustion source for ISP, industrial activities for CMP and petrochemical industry for PCP, respectively. The hazard index values were 0.752 ± 0.438, 0.108 ± 0.248 and 0.090 ± 0.260 at ISP, CMP and PCP, which were generally lower than threshold limit value, suggesting a low noncarcinogenic risk for workers. Meanwhile, the 95th percentile LCR values of VOCs were 8.76 × 10^-5, 1.15 × 10^-5 and 1.00 × 10^-5 at ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively, which were also under acceptable risk level, indicating a low carcinogenic risk. Benzene and 1,3-butadiene were main harmful substances for both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of VOCs. The odor levels of VOCs were 2.12 ± 4.21, 12.5 ± 28.7 and 1.01 ± 7.84 at ISP, CMP and PCP, respectively. Aromatics for ISP and sulfide compounds for CMP and PCP were primary pollutants for odor pollution. This work could improve the understanding of risk levels and odor characteristics of VOCs and benefit policy development on alleviating odor complaints and health risks for workers in YRD region, China.

With the development of the pharmaceutical industry, halogenated hydrocarbons, which are the main raw materials and emissions of the pharmaceutical industry, may be defined as atmospheric emerging contaminants due to toxicity and low oxidation of the atmosphere. This study analyzed the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from four pharmaceutical companies located in the Yangtze River Delta. Samples were taken three times at each of the selected fixed and fugitive sampling sites in each company. Through testing, 141 VOCs were identified. The mean concentration and proportion of halogenated hydrocarbons from the four pharmaceutical companies were the highest of all the industries in the industrial park. They reached 18.9 ppm and 28.8 %, respectively. Fixed emissions of the companies exhibited the mean maximum concentration of dichloromethane and chlorobenzene, which are 11.4 ppm and 250.67 ppb. The mean concentration of fugitive emission of dichloromethane from the four companies in this study is lower than that of pharmaceutical companies in other studies. Newly detected halogenated hydrocarbons, such as 1,1-dichloropropanone and dichloronitromethane, present potential non-cancer and cancer risks to workers. Chlorobenzene was identified as a key potential cancer risk halogenated hydrocarbon the value of which reaches 0.00965. 2,6-dichloropyridine could be a potential emerging contaminant due to its lower MIR value and higher potential cancer risk. The study suggests that relevant pharmaceutical companies focus on the emissions of chlorobenzene and dichloromethane, which may be the atmospheric emerging contaminants for the pharmaceutical industry and focus on improve the treatment of waste gases in workshops and sewage stations.