Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) pollution in Isolo Industrial Area of Lagos State, Southwestern – Nigeria

Abstract

Air pollution by volatile organic compounds is based on the principles of dilution, diffusion and dispersion. The air samples were collected by passive sampler (ORSA 5). The air samplers were exposed to a height of 1.5 - 2.0 m and sampling was carried out four times a month for a period of 12 months. The adsorbed VOCs were desorbed with carbondisulphide (CS2) and the solution analysed using Gas Chromatography (GC) fitted with Flame Ionization Detector (FID). The results from analysis of the air samples collected showed that twenty-six (26) VOCs were captured in Isolo Industrial area. The VOCs were classified thus: aromatics 41%, halogenated 42%, esters 3%, ketones 8%, alcohols 4%, and ethers 2%. There is a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the levels of VOCs in Isolo Industrial area. The meteorological parameters showed significant correlations with the ambient concentrations of VOCs. The principal component analysis revealed that the major sources of VOCs in the industrial area are mainly anthropogenic. Evaporative, vehicular/petroleum product, solvent and Industrial emission were identified as sources of VOCs in the studied industrial area with industrial emissions dominating.

Keywords: Pollution, Ambient, Gas Chromatography, Industrial, Anthropogenic.