Ambient air quality at the site of a former manufactured gas plant

摘要: Prior to the 1950's, manufactured gas was commerciallyproduced from pyrolysis of coal, coke, and oil atfacilities that are termed plants (MGPs). The constituents residual coal tar present on many MGPsites an environmental health concern because theirtoxicity possibility for their off-site migration viawater air. Atmospheric concentrations five volatileorganic compounds (VOCs, e.g., benzene), sixteen polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, naphthalene), particulate matter less than 10 microns in aerodynamicdiameter (PM10) were measured at site a former MGP. Air samples obtained before, during, after excavationof subterranean site. results thisinvestigation indicate not aprimary source VOCs PAHs local atmosphere beforeor remediation However, excavation,treatment, blending, transfer duringremediation generated selected aromatic andsemi-volatile organic substantiallygreater typical ambient levels. In addition, these datasuggest blending mixing tars could lead toexceedance U.S. National Ambient Quality Standardfor PM10, although additional research is required fullyevaluate this possibility. Nuisance odors associated with thesite likely result naphthalene andpossibly isomers xylene. pollutant concentrationsmeasured adjacent excavation area siteperimeter during activities therelevant occupational exposure limits.