Observations of volatile organic and sulfur compounds in ambient air and health risk assessment near a paper mill in rural Idaho, U. S. A.

ABSTRACT: The Lewis-Clark Valley is a rural area that includes the cities of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington and the surrounding areas. The largest industry in the Lewis-Clark Valley is a pulp paper mill located in Lewiston which emits particulate matter and odorous sulfur air pollutants. This study analyzed the Lewis-Clark Valley air composition and seasonal, temporal and spatial variations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from 2017 to 2018 to determine potential health risks of the paper mill emissions to the surrounding community. Both active and passive air sampling via sorbent tubes were analyzed by thermal desorption - gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Fifty VOCs including benzene, toluene, chloroform, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide were measured in the am

SUBMITTER: Scott PS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7644087 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature