UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION



In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

ELEC 1 – ChE Elective 1

Primary and Secondary Air Pollutants: Volatile Organic Compounds and

Particulates

Submitted by:

Bansas, Rhona Lynne L.

Submitted to:

Engr. Karlo Isagani Mosqueda

November 21, 2017

 Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds, sometimes referred to as VOCs, are organic

compounds that easily become vapors or gases. VOCs are organic chemicals that have a high

vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature. Their high vapor results from a low boiling

point, which causes large numbers of molecules to sublimate from the liquid or solid form of

the compound and enter the surrounding air. Volatile organic compounds, Along with carbon,

contain elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfur or nitrogen.

Volatile organic compounds are released from burning fuel, such as gasoline, wood,

coal, or natural gas. They are also emitted from oil and gas fields and diesel exhaust. They are

also released from solvents, paints, glues, and other products that are used and stored at home

and at work. Many volatile organic compounds are also hazardous air pollutants. Volatile

organic compounds, when combined with nitrogen oxides, react to form ground-level ozone,

or smog, which contributes to climate change.

Factors that will determine its effect:

1. Type of organic compound

2. Level of exposure

3. Length of exposure

Formation of VOCs

1. Outdoors

Outdoor VOCs are volatized into the air mostly during manufacture or use of everyday

products and materials. Ozone has been a difficult pollutant to control, because it is not

emitted into the air, but is actually formed in the atmosphere through a photochemical

process. It is in this process that VOCs play a significant role. VOCs in the air react with
oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight to form ozone. Motor vehicles and consumer

and commercial industries are the two largest producers of volatile organic compounds. It

was determined that architectural coatings account for approximately 9 percent of the VOC

emissions from all consumer and commercial products.

1. Indoors

Indoor VOCs are mostly released into the air from the use of products and materials

containing VOCs. These VOCs are organic chemicals that are widely used as ingredients in

household products such as paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do

many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of

organic chemicals. VOCs can also get into indoor air from contaminated soils and

groundwater under buildings. The chemicals enter buildings through cracks and openings in

basements or slabs. Several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.

During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping,
levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels. Products containing VOCs can release

these chemicals when they are used and when they are stored.

Effects of VOCs

Many volatile organic compounds are also hazardous air pollutants. Volatile organic

compounds, when combined with nitrogen oxides, react to form ground-level ozone, or smog,

which contributes to climate change. As for the health, It is found that ozone levels of even

.08 parts per million contributed to lung disease and pulmonary function deterioration in

children. Ground level ozone affects the normal functions of the lung in many healthy

humans. There is evidence that prolonged exposure to ozone causes permanent damage to

lung tissue and interferes with the functioning of the immune system. Other problems

resulting from excessive ozone levels can include damage to the ecosystem including the

retardation of plant growth and crop yields. Short-term exposure to high levels of some

VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, nausea, and eye and

respiratory irritation. These effects usually go away after the exposure stops. In laboratory

animals, long term exposure to high levels of some VOCs has caused cancer and affected the

liver, kidney and nervous system.

How to minimize VOC Exposure:

1. Read labels to find low-VOC products.

2. Buy what you only need.

3. Store VOC containing products in a detached shed.

4. Your nose knows.

5. Exhaust your possibilities.

6. Ditch the air fresheners.

7. Decorate with houseplants

Particulates

Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of

which are hazardous. Its main components include sulphate and organic matter. This complex

mixture also includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke,

and liquid droplets. These particles vary greatly in size, composition, and origin. Particles in

air are either (1) directly emitted, for instance when fuel is burnt and when dust is carried by

wind, or (2) indirectly formed, when gaseous pollutants previously emitted to air turn into

particulate matter.

Based on size, particulate matter is often divided into two main groups:

1. The coarse fraction, which contains the larger particles with a size ranging from 2.5 to

10 µm (PM10 - PM2.5).

2. The fine fraction, which contains the smaller ones with a size up to 2.5 µm (PM2.5).

The particles in the fine fraction which are smaller than 0.1 µm are called ultrafine

particles.

Most of the total mass of airborne particulate matter is usually made up of fine

particles ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 µm. Ultrafine particles often contribute only a few percent to

the total mass, though they are the most numerous, representing over 90% of the number of

particles.
Why does particle size matter?

The aerodynamic properties of particles determine how they are transported in air and

how they can be removed from it. These properties also govern how far they get into the air

passages of the respiratory system. Additionally, they provide information on the chemical

composition and the sources of particles.

Formation of Particles

1. Coarse particles are produced by the mechanical break-up of larger solid particles. The

coarse fraction can include dust from roads, agricultural processes, uncovered soil or mining

operations, as well as non-combustible materials released when burning fossil fuels. Pollen

grains, mould spores, and plant and insect parts can also contribute to the coarse fraction.

Finally, evaporation of sea spray can produce large particles near coasts. Combustion of

fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and petrol can produce coarse particles from the release of non-

combustible materials such as fly ash.

2. Fine particles are largely formed from gases. Ultrafine particles (up to 0.1 µm) are formed

by nucleation, which is the initial stage in which gas becomes a particle. These particles can
grow up to a size of 1 µm either through condensation, when additional gas condensates on

the particles, or through coagulation, when two or more particles combine to form a larger

particle. Particles produced by the intermediate reactions of gases in the atmosphere are

called secondary particles. Fine particles can also be produced from the condensation of

materials vaporized during combustion..

Effects of Particulate Matter

Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of

problems, including: premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart

attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, increased respiratory

symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing. People with

heart or lung diseases, children, and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle

pollution exposure. Fine particles (PM2.5) are the main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in

parts of the United States, including many of our treasured national parks and wilderness

areas. Particles can be carried over long distances by wind and then settle on ground or water.

Depending on their chemical composition, the effects of this settling may include: making

lakes and streams acidic, changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river

basins, depleting the nutrients in soil, damaging sensitive forests and farm crops, affecting the

diversity of ecosystems and contributing to acid rain effects.

How to minimize particulate matter exposure:

1. Not to burn wood, leaves or any yard waste

2. Stop smoking especially indoor

3. Replacing older engines with new engines

4. Walk, cycle or use public transport or share vehicle wherever possible

5. Pay attention to your maintenance of your vehicle to reduce particulate matter

6. Use Indoor Air purifiers to reduce particulate matter in homes and offices

7. Conserve energy by using solar energy, bio-gas, rainwater harvesting etc. to control

pollution from particulate matter

References:

Goldstein, Allen H.; Galbally, Ian E. (2011). Environmental Science & Technology. Berlin:

Springer.

GreenFacts (2015). Air Pollution Particulate Matter. Retrieved November 14, 2017 from

https://www.greenfacts.org/en/particulate-matter-pm/index.htm#1

Jones, A.P. (2009). Atmospheric Environment. New York: Artisan

United States Environmental Protection Agency (2017). Retrieved November 14, 2017 from

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-

quality