Paso del Norte ozone study VOC measurements, 1996
The results of VOC determinations of ambient air samples collected at surface air quality monitoring sites and near sources of interest on the US and Mexican side of the border during six weeks of the 1996 Paso del Norte Ozone Study are reported. Carbonyl samples were collected on DNPH impregnated cartridges at three surface sites and analyzed by HPLC to quantify 13, C-1 to C-8 species. Whole air samples were collected in electro-polished stainless steel canisters which were returned to laboratory for determination of C-2 to C-10+ hydrocarbons by cryogenic preconcentration capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (gc-fid). Several sources were sampled: rush hour traffic, propane-powered bus exhaust, automobile paint shop emissions, propane fuel, petroleum refinery, and industrial manufacturing site. Spatial and temporal characteristics of VOC species concentrations and compositions are presented. Overall surface TNMOC values ranged from 0.1 to 3.4 ppmC with the highest concentrations recorded in the morning at three vehicle-dominated sites, two in Cuidad Juarez and one in downtown El Paso. Toluene in El Paso samples and propane, which is used as a cooking and transportation fuel in Cuidad Juarez, were the most abundant hydrocarbons.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Lab., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Sonoma Technology, Inc., Petaluma, CA (United States); Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Mexico City (Mexico); Egyptian Radiation and Environmental Monitoring Network, Cairo (Egypt)
- OSTI ID:
- 698027
- Report Number(s):
- PB--99-171480/XAB; EPA--600/A-99/068
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
1996 Paso del Norte ozone study VOC measurements
Paso del Norte pilot border study of ozone precursors and air toxics