A new approach for estimating VOC emissions from anthropogenic non-point sources in urban communities

In an attempt to estimate VOC emission from anthropogenic, non-point sources in an urban area, a new approach (SKYEM) was introduced as a part of the integrated environment management (IEM) project. SKYEM was developed for consulting user convenience on a basis of emission inventory methodologies developed in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Korea. The inventory was obtained from mobile and area sources resolved to census tract levels (Dong or village levels). SKY-EM was used to provide an annual emission inventory for major volatile organic compounds, BTXS (benzene, toluene, xylene, and styrene), PCE, phenol, and MEK, from 13 sources in multimedia (air, water, and soil) for 151 villages in northeastern Seoul. Toluene (73%) and Xlyene (16%) were largely emitted from important source categories, consumer solvents and mobiles, accounting for 60% and 26% of all estimated VOCs during the year 2002, respectively. BTXS were also measured at 10 sites located in the target area. Toluene presented the highest concentration (77%) with Xylene ranked second (15%). The similarity between concentration and emission may be explained by a model which describes scientific phenomena in or inter media. Therefore, a comparison of the prediction using the model with actual observations will be useful in examining uncertainties in, or the accuracy of the emission inventory from, non-point sources in an urban area.