Abstract
Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from sewerage facilities such as a sanitary sewers, outlets, and catch basins. In addition, the dominant malodorous VOCs among the compounds in this study were studied. Methods: Waste gas samples were collected at 27 points in a sanitary sewer in commercial and residental areas. The concentrations of seven volatile organic compounds, including benzene and toluene, in the samples were analyzed by gas chromatograph mass spectrophotometer (GC/MS). Odor concentrations were estimated using the concentration data of the VOCs and each compound's threshold limit value. Results: As a result, it appeared that the average concentration of total observed data for acetaldehyde was 15.98 ppb and benzene 1.87 ppb, toluene 82.31 ppb, ethyl benzene 63.12 ppb, m+p-xylene 15.66 ppb, oxylene 18.73 ppb, and styrene 4.39 ppb. VOC concentrations in the commercial area were higher than those in the residential area. VOC concentrations of waste gas emitted from sewer lines was also higher than those at the outlet and in the catch basins. It was estimated that the main malodorous VOC among the seven VOCs was acetaldehyde. Conclusions: As there is little data on VOC concentrations inside sewer facilities in Korea, these data will be helpful for estimating impact assessment of VOCs and establishing a counter-plan for the abatement of VOCs from sewer facilities in the future.