Volatile organic compounds in various workplaces and during commutes in a Chinese city: occurrence and health risks for different occupations

The workplace, residence, and commute constitute the vast majority of people's exposure to air pollutants, whereas their apportionment is poorly understood. This study measured volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various workplaces, residences, and commuting vehicles in a Chinese megacity. The total concentrations of target VOCs (∑VOC₂₀) in workplaces (2.56 − 671.69 μg/m³, geometric mean = 57.32 μg/m³), with the highest concentrations in shopping malls and furniture malls and the lowest in libraries and museums, were significantly higher than those in residences (18.66 μg/m³). However, both workplace and residential concentrations were significantly lower than those inside vehicle cabins (buses, subways, and cars) (107.62 μg/m³). Principal component analysis identified four main sources of VOCs in the workplaces: use of cleaning and disinfectant agents indoors (26 %), various indoor product surfaces (23 %), the interior of furnishings and construction materials (20 %), and outdoor/vehicle emissions (31 %). On-road vehicle emissions were the major source of in-vehicle VOCs. Aromatics and alkanes were the major species in all the microenvironments, in contrast to esters and halocarbons. Similar composition profiles of VOCs in the workplaces were found, which were significantly influenced by outdoor sources. Both the cancer and non-cancer risks for the driver occupation were substantially higher than those of other cohorts. Occupational exposure remains the largest contributor to the risks if drivers are excluded. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of VOC exposure in a megacity. It underscores significant health risks related to traffic-related VOCs, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate vehicle emissions of VOCs in Chinese cities.