Characteristics of Spatial Distribution VOCs around Petrochemical Complex Using Passive Sampler

The northern region of Chungcheongnam-do is located in several large-scale industrial facilities. The region of Daesan has a large-scale petrochemical complex, accounting for 7.3% of the nation's total VOCs(volatile organic compounds, VOCs) emission. In this study, VOCs were measured at 31 locations in the Daesan area using a passive sampler; VOCs concentration distribution by area and the influence of the different seasons on the VOCs in the area were investigated. The result of seasonal measurement of VOCs, the highest concentration was measured in winter (18.6 ppb), summer (12.0 ppb), and spring and autumn (10.5 ppb). Benzene and toluene accounted for 69.1 to 72.7% of the VOCs concentration regardless of the season. The result of investigating the affected area based on the benzene measurement, high concentrations of VOCs were identified in a specific area. Although the distance from the pollutant source is important, it was confirmed that the diffusion depends on the wind direction, wind speed and topography. In order to improve the problems of high-concentration VOC areas, continuous monitoring and national policies will be required.