Abstract
In this study, VOCs ambient concentrations measured in Bangkok, Thailand from January 2008 to January 2012 were analyzed. Data from VOCs monitoring stations represented roadside, general, and suburban areas of Bangkok were interpreted. Each VOCs sample was speciated for 44 compounds and was reported on a monthly basis. Data analysis was carried out for the concentration and the hazard quotient (HQ) of each compound to evaluate the potential hazards to human health. Prioritization of VOCs was carried out by numerical analysis using a Pareto distribution and Power Zipf law principle of the concentration and the hazard quotient data. Results indicated that toluene had the highest concentration, while trichloroethylene and 1,3 butadiene were found mostly in Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Furthermore the results also showed that these compounds were dominant chemical species which resulted in small complexity of VOCs in the study area.