Emission factors and source profiles of volatile organic compounds from typical industrial sources in Guangzhou, China

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important precursors of ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). An ac-curate depiction of the emission characteristics of VOCs is the key to formulating VOC control strategies. In this study, the VOC emission factors and source profiles in five industrial sectors were developed using large-scale field measure-ments conducted in Guangzhou, China (100 samples for the emission factors and 434 samples for the source profile measurements). The emission factors based on the actual measurement method and the material balance method were 1.6-152.4 kg of VOCs per ton of raw materials (kg/t) and 3.1-242.2 kg/t, respectively. The similarities between the emission factors obtained using these two methods were examined, which showed a coefficient of divergence (CD) of 0.34-0.72. Among the 33 subdivided VOC source profiles developed in this study, sources including light guide plate (LGP), photoresist mask, and plastic products were the first time developed in China. Due to regional diversities in terms of production technologies, materials, and products, the emission characteristics of the VOCs varied, even in the same sector, thereby demonstrating the importance of developing localized source profiles of VOCs. The ozone for-mation potential (OFP) of the shipbuilding and repair sector from fugitive emissions was the highest value among all the industrial sectors. Controlling the emissions of aromatics and OVOCs was critical to reducing the O3 growth mo-mentum in industrial sectors. In addition, 1,2-dibromoethane showed high carcinogenic risk potentials (CRPs) during most of the industrial sectors and should be prioritized for controlling.