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VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS MEASUREMENTS IN NEW YORK CITY IN RESPONSE TO THE EVENTS OF 9/11
Citation:
Seila, R L., E Swartz, W A. Lonneman, AND D A. Vallero. VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS MEASUREMENTS IN NEW YORK CITY IN RESPONSE TO THE EVENTS OF 9/11. Presented at American Chemical Society, New York, NY, September 7-11, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
The main objectives of this research are to measure ambient concentrations of PM and related air toxics in lower Manhattan as they pertain to transport of PM and air toxics emitted in the vicinity of the WTC recovery site.
Description:
From September 22, 2001 through February 2002, ambient air was sampled in lower Manhattan, New York at three sites within a block of ground zero and at a fourth site 500-m northwest of the World Trade Center. Over 190 grab samples were collected in evacuated, electro-polished stainless steel canisters. In addition, from mid-February until the end of April, 24-h samples were collected at three other sites near ground zero. Over 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ranging from C2 to C10+ were determination by capillary gas chromatography-flame ionization detection with cryogenic preconcentration. Some samples were also analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectral detection. In general VOC concentrations were highest at the site north of ground zero followed by the southerly and northwest sites. Some compounds, for example ethylbenzene, showed a trend with maximum concentrations at the beginning of the study period followed by a decrease to background levels around mid-November.
This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy. The actual presentation has not been peer reviewed by EPA. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.