Analysis of available ambient and stationary source HAP sampling results to verify emission rate estimates for sources in Ambos Nogales
- Powers Engineering, Escondido, CA (United States)
- Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality, Phoenix, AZ (United States)
- Radian International LLC, Sacramento, CA (United States)
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is funding a project to develop comprehensive hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions inventories for the cross-border communities of Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Ambient VOC and PAH data were collected in downtown Nogales, Sonora in July 1994 by the ADEQ. This paper addresses the analysis of the ambient HAP data performed by the project team. The ambient HAP data evaluation will serve as a cross-check of the accuracy of the RAP emission estimates developed for each source type included in the HAP emissions inventory. The data show that benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene (BTXE) and aldehydes are the dominant volatile organic compound (VOC) HAPs in the ambient air. The quantity of BTXE in the ambient air, and ratio of these compounds to each other, implies that mobile sources are the principal source of BTXE in Nogales, Sonora. Significant levels of olefinic VOCs were also detected. Ambient test data also indicate ethane, propane, butane, pentane are the predominant VOC species in the ambient air. Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are the probable source of these VOCs. Almost all residential and commercial cooking performed in Nogales, Sonora is done from LPG cylinders containing a mixture of propane (primarily) and butane. These cylinders are ubiquitous, and many are equipped with potentially leaky valves. VOC and VOC HAP test protocols are currently being developed by the Mexican National Institute of Ecology for these cylinders and associated cooking ranges. Periodic open burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) is performed at a site located on the border in Nogales, Sonora. Ambient VOC HAP data collected in July 1994 during both MSW burning periods and {open_quotes}no burn{close_quotes} periods is being evaluated to determine if the contribution of open burning to the ambient HAP burden can be estimated for both particulate and VOC HAPs from the ambient data. 7 refs.
- OSTI ID:
- 617629
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9605175--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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