Assessment of H2S and BTEX concentrations in ambient air using passive sampling method and the health risks

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Ulutaş K., Kaskun S., Demir S., Dinçer F., Pekey H.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT, vol.193, pp.399-409, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 193
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10661-021-09164-1
  • Journal Name: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, Greenfile, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.399-409
  • Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may be a source of nuisance in neighbouring places due to hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) emissions. In this study, samples were collected from WWTP work-place ambient air and outdoor ambient air around one of the largest WWTPs in Istanbul with a capac-ity of 250,000 m3/day to evaluate the effects of H2S and BTEX emissions. Samples were collected in three seasons for 15-day durations: winter (Novem-ber 2015), spring (May 2015), and summer (August 2016). Average concentrations of H2S and BTEX were determined as 1.1 and 56.2 μg/m3, respectively. Average concentrations BTEX components were 4.9, 20.7, 6.4, and 24.2 μg/m3, respectively. Health risk assessment for plant workers and local residents was performed for H2S and BTEX inhalation exposure using the method by USEPA. Results show that H2S and BTEX emissions do not have harmful effects on human health.