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Air quality in the Industrial Heartland of Alberta, Canada and potential impacts on human health
Abstract The “Industrial Heartland” of Alberta is Canada's largest hydrocarbon processing center, with more than 40 major chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas facilities. Emissions from these industries affect local air quality and human health. This paper characterizes ambient levels of 77 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the region using high-precision measurements collected in summer 2010. Remarkably strong enhancements of 43 VOCs were detected, and concentrations in the industrial plumes were often similar to or even higher than levels measured in some of the world's largest cities and industrial regions. For example maximum levels of propene and i-pentane exceeded 100 ppbv, and 1,3-butadiene, a known carcinogen, reached 27 ppbv. Major VOC sources included propene fractionation, diluent separation and bitumen processing. Emissions of the measured VOCs increased the hydroxyl radical reactivity (k OH), a measure of the potential to form downwind ozone, from 3.4 s−1 in background air to 62 s−1 in the most concentrated plumes. The plume value was comparable to polluted megacity values, and acetaldehyde, propene and 1,3-butadiene contributed over half of the plume k OH. Based on a 13-year record (1994–2006) at the county level, the incidence of male hematopoietic cancers (leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was higher in communities closest to the Industrial Heartland compared to neighboring counties. While a causal association between these cancers and exposure to industrial emissions cannot be confirmed, this pattern and the elevated VOC levels warrant actions to reduce emissions of known carcinogens, including benzene and 1,3-butadiene.
Highlights Alberta's Industrial Heartland is Canada's largest hydrocarbon processing center. We characterize 77 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in this region. Dozens of VOCs, including carcinogens, were enhanced in the industrial plumes. Sources include propene fractionation, diluent separation and bitumen processing. Male hematopoietic cancer rates are higher in this region than elsewhere in Alberta.
Air quality in the Industrial Heartland of Alberta, Canada and potential impacts on human health
Abstract The “Industrial Heartland” of Alberta is Canada's largest hydrocarbon processing center, with more than 40 major chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas facilities. Emissions from these industries affect local air quality and human health. This paper characterizes ambient levels of 77 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the region using high-precision measurements collected in summer 2010. Remarkably strong enhancements of 43 VOCs were detected, and concentrations in the industrial plumes were often similar to or even higher than levels measured in some of the world's largest cities and industrial regions. For example maximum levels of propene and i-pentane exceeded 100 ppbv, and 1,3-butadiene, a known carcinogen, reached 27 ppbv. Major VOC sources included propene fractionation, diluent separation and bitumen processing. Emissions of the measured VOCs increased the hydroxyl radical reactivity (k OH), a measure of the potential to form downwind ozone, from 3.4 s−1 in background air to 62 s−1 in the most concentrated plumes. The plume value was comparable to polluted megacity values, and acetaldehyde, propene and 1,3-butadiene contributed over half of the plume k OH. Based on a 13-year record (1994–2006) at the county level, the incidence of male hematopoietic cancers (leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was higher in communities closest to the Industrial Heartland compared to neighboring counties. While a causal association between these cancers and exposure to industrial emissions cannot be confirmed, this pattern and the elevated VOC levels warrant actions to reduce emissions of known carcinogens, including benzene and 1,3-butadiene.
Highlights Alberta's Industrial Heartland is Canada's largest hydrocarbon processing center. We characterize 77 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in this region. Dozens of VOCs, including carcinogens, were enhanced in the industrial plumes. Sources include propene fractionation, diluent separation and bitumen processing. Male hematopoietic cancer rates are higher in this region than elsewhere in Alberta.
Air quality in the Industrial Heartland of Alberta, Canada and potential impacts on human health
Simpson, Isobel J. (author) / Marrero, Josette E. (author) / Batterman, Stuart (author) / Meinardi, Simone (author) / Barletta, Barbara (author) / Blake, Donald R. (author)
Atmospheric Environment ; 81 ; 702-709
2013-09-13
8 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Growth Management in the Alberta Heartland
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