Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review
Atmospheric intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) are important precursors of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), and in-depth research on them is crucial for atmospheric pollution control. This review systematically synthesizes global advancements in understanding IVOC sources, emissions c...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Yongxin Yan Yan Nie Xiaoshuai Gao Xiaoyu Yan Yuanyuan Ji Junling Li Hong Li |
| author_facet | Yongxin Yan Yan Nie Xiaoshuai Gao Xiaoyu Yan Yuanyuan Ji Junling Li Hong Li |
| author_sort | Yongxin Yan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Atmospheric intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) are important precursors of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), and in-depth research on them is crucial for atmospheric pollution control. This review systematically synthesizes global advancements in understanding IVOC sources, emissions characterization, compositional characteristics, ambient concentrations, SOA contributions, and health risk assessments. IVOCs include long-chain alkanes (C<sub>12</sub>~C<sub>22</sub>), sesquiterpenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, ketones, esters, organic acids, and heterocyclic compounds, which originate from primary emissions and secondary formation. Primary emissions include direct emissions from anthropogenic and biogenic sources, while secondary formation mainly results from radical reactions or particulate surface reactions. Recently, the total IVOC emissions have decreased in some countries, while emissions from certain sources, such as volatile chemical products, have increased. Ambient IVOC concentrations are generally higher in urban rather than in rural areas, higher indoors than outdoors, and on land rather than over oceans. IVOCs primarily generate SOAs via oxidation reactions with hydroxyl radicals, nitrate radicals, the ozone, and chlorine atoms, which contribute more to SOAs than traditional VOCs, with higher SOA yields. SOA tracers for IVOC species like naphthalene and β-caryophyllene have been identified. Integrating IVOC emissions into regional air quality models could significantly improve SOA simulation accuracy. The carcinogenic risk posed by naphthalene should be prioritized, while benzo[a]pyrene requires a combined risk assessment and hierarchical management. Future research should focus on developing high-resolution online detection technologies for IVOCs, clarifying the multiphase reaction mechanisms involved and SOA tracers, and conducting comprehensive human health risk assessments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-124ae7e548bc46f79a2124e404f7ea55 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2305-6304 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj-art-124ae7e548bc46f79a2124e404f7ea552025-08-20T02:18:10ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-04-0113431810.3390/toxics13040318Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A ReviewYongxin Yan0Yan Nie1Xiaoshuai Gao2Xiaoyu Yan3Yuanyuan Ji4Junling Li5Hong Li6State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, ChinaAtmospheric intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) are important precursors of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), and in-depth research on them is crucial for atmospheric pollution control. This review systematically synthesizes global advancements in understanding IVOC sources, emissions characterization, compositional characteristics, ambient concentrations, SOA contributions, and health risk assessments. IVOCs include long-chain alkanes (C<sub>12</sub>~C<sub>22</sub>), sesquiterpenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, ketones, esters, organic acids, and heterocyclic compounds, which originate from primary emissions and secondary formation. Primary emissions include direct emissions from anthropogenic and biogenic sources, while secondary formation mainly results from radical reactions or particulate surface reactions. Recently, the total IVOC emissions have decreased in some countries, while emissions from certain sources, such as volatile chemical products, have increased. Ambient IVOC concentrations are generally higher in urban rather than in rural areas, higher indoors than outdoors, and on land rather than over oceans. IVOCs primarily generate SOAs via oxidation reactions with hydroxyl radicals, nitrate radicals, the ozone, and chlorine atoms, which contribute more to SOAs than traditional VOCs, with higher SOA yields. SOA tracers for IVOC species like naphthalene and β-caryophyllene have been identified. Integrating IVOC emissions into regional air quality models could significantly improve SOA simulation accuracy. The carcinogenic risk posed by naphthalene should be prioritized, while benzo[a]pyrene requires a combined risk assessment and hierarchical management. Future research should focus on developing high-resolution online detection technologies for IVOCs, clarifying the multiphase reaction mechanisms involved and SOA tracers, and conducting comprehensive human health risk assessments.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/318intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs)pollution characterizationcontributions to SOAshuman health risk assessmentsystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Yongxin Yan Yan Nie Xiaoshuai Gao Xiaoyu Yan Yuanyuan Ji Junling Li Hong Li Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review Toxics intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) pollution characterization contributions to SOAs human health risk assessment systematic review |
| title | Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review |
| title_full | Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review |
| title_short | Pollution Characterization and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Atmospheric Intermediate Volatile Organic Compounds: A Review |
| title_sort | pollution characterization and environmental impact evaluation of atmospheric intermediate volatile organic compounds a review |
| topic | intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs) pollution characterization contributions to SOAs human health risk assessment systematic review |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/4/318 |
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