Ambient BTEX levels over urban, suburban and rural areas in Malaysia

摘要: Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) are volatile organic air pollutants of concern which arise from natural anthropogenic sources. This study aims to determine evaluate the BTEX levels in ambient selected areas Malaysia, namely: Kuala Lumpur (KL-urban), Penang (PG-urban), Bangi (BG-suburban), Langkawi (LGK-suburban) Danum Valley (DV-rural). Active sampling with sorbent tubes was applied this samples were analysed using thermal desorption (TD) coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results show that urban area KL had highest ΣBTEX (40.36 ± 6.99 μg/m3) followed by PG (30.82 ± 8.06 μg/m3). concentrations suburban LGK BG measured as 20.22 ± 11.42 μg/m3 12.36 ± 2.26 μg/m3, respectively. rural DV lowest concentration (5.55 ± 2.54 μg/m3). average toluene benzene (T:B) ratio at KL, LG found be within range 2.00–5.00 thus indicating vehicle emissions main source. level both (7.43 μg/m3) (5.12 μg/m3) slightly higher than annual benchmark 5 μg/m3 suggested European Union (EU). health risk assessments cancer (CR) based on urban, > 10−6 a link between human risks exposure.