Volatile organic compounds in the air of Izmir, Turkey

A sampling program was conducted to determine the ambient VOC levels in the city of Izmir, Turkey during daytime and overnight periods between mid-Aug ust and mid-September 1998. Sampling sites were selected at high-density tr affic roads and junctions far from stationary VOC sources. Samples were ana lyzed for benzene, toluene, m,p-xylene and o-xylene (BTX), alkylbenzenes (e thylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzen), n-hexane and, n-heptane. Results were compared with similar data from other cities around the world and for probable health dangers and sources of the compounds. Re sults of this study indicated that Izmir has rather high ambient BTX concen trations compared to many polluted cities in the world. Toluene was the mos t abundant VOC in Izmir air and was followed by xylenes, benzene and alkylb enzenes, respectively. All were strongly dependent on the expected daily va riations of traffic flow in the city. The concentrations of other VOCs corr elated well with benzene concentration at most sampling sites, excluding Gu muldur station indicating that ambient VOC levels were mainly affected by m otor vehicle emissions. The toluene-tobenzene ratios for urban and non-urba n sites were in good agreement with previously reported values, indicating a good relationship between the motor vehicle emissions and ambient VOC lev els. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.