Concentrations of non methane-VOCs and risk levels of employees’ exposure to VOCs were determined at two Finnish waste water treatment plants. The concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) reached the Finnish OEL (occupational exposure limit). The concentrations of styrene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and toluene were found to be elevated at plant A. 328.4 μg/m3 of styrene and 709.8 μg/m3 toluene was found in the sludge dewatering, and 955.8 μg/m3 of 1,2-dichloroethane was detected in the trash rake. TVOC concentrations varied from 149.8 μg/m3 in the Plant B sludge dewatering to 7719.0 μg/m3 in the Plant A sludge dewatering. Most of the detected TVOC concentrations were quite high in comparison to the indoor air regulations or recommendations. The most odorous compounds were determined by combined TD-GC-MS-sniffing analysis. Odour was mainly caused by sulphur-containing compounds, aldehydes, and butanoic acid, in addition to aromatic compounds such as styrene, toluene and 4-methylphenol.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
May 01 2011
Determination of odorous VOCs and the risk of occupational exposure to airborne compounds at the waste water treatment plants
J. Lehtinen;
1University of Jyvä skylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O.Box 35, 40014 University of Jyvä skylä
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
A. Veijanen
A. Veijanen
1University of Jyvä skylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O.Box 35, 40014 University of Jyvä skylä
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Sci Technol (2011) 63 (10): 2183–2192.
Citation
J. Lehtinen, A. Veijanen; Determination of odorous VOCs and the risk of occupational exposure to airborne compounds at the waste water treatment plants. Water Sci Technol 1 May 2011; 63 (10): 2183–2192. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2011.372
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00