Urban Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds

A research article, "Volatile chemical products emerging as largest petrochemical source of urban organic emissions", by McDonald et al, published in Science on February 16, 2018, highlights the contribution of volatile chemical products (VCPs) like pesticides, printing inks, adhesives, cleaning agents, and personal care products in emission inventories of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With automotive VOC emissions on the decline in the United States and Europe, the relative importance of other sources of VOC emissions is growing. The authors note that as diesel particle filters and oxidation catalysts become more widespread in the transportation industry, the fraction of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) arising from VCPs will grow. Given that people spend most of their time indoors, "consumer uses of VCPs likely remain key sources of human exposure to air toxics relative to fossil fuels".