Release characteristics of volatile organic compounds at residential garbage collection points: a case study of Hangzhou, China

With the implementation of garbage classification, perishable waste has become increasingly concentrated. This has led to a significant change in the VOC release characteristics at residential garbage collection points, posing a potential risk with unknown characteristics. This study investigated the release characteristics, odor pollution, and health risks of VOCs at garbage collection points under different classification effectiveness, seasons, garbage drop-off periods, and garbage collection point types. The results showed that the average concentration of VOCs released from the garbage sorting collection points (SPs) was 341.43 ± 261.16 μg/m 3 , and oxygenated compounds (e.g., ethyl acetate and acetone) were the main VOC components. The VOC concentration increased as the community classification effectiveness improved, and it was higher in summer (followed by spring, autumn, and winter). Moreover, the VOC concentrations were higher in the evenings than in the mornings and at centralized garbage collection points (CPs) than at SPs. Further, odor activity value ( OAV ) assessments indicated that acrolein, styrene, and ethyl acetate were the critical odorous components, with an average OAV of 0.87 ± 0.85, implying marginal odor pollution in some communities. Health risk assessments further revealed that trichloroethylene, benzene, and chlorotoluene were the critical health risk substances, with an average carcinogenic risk ( CR ) value of 10 −6 –10 −4 , and a non-carcinogenic risk ( HI ) value < 1. These results indicated that HIs were acceptable, but potential CRs existed in the communities. Therefore, VOC pollution prevention and control measures should be urgently strengthened at the garbage collection points in high pollution risk scenarios.