# Source Profile Analysis of Atmospheric Volatile Organic Compounds in Chongqing

## TL;DR

This study identifies and compares VOC sources in Chongqing, China, highlighting health risks from automotive manufacturing emissions.

## Contribution

The first systematic VOC source profile analysis for key industries in Chongqing, revealing sector-specific chemical signatures.

## Key findings

- Furniture manufacturing emissions are dominated by alkanes (65%).
- Automotive manufacturing emits 64% aromatic hydrocarbons, posing significant health risks.
- Locally derived profiles provide essential data for emission reduction strategies in Chongqing.

## Abstract

This study presents the first systematic investigation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) source profiles from key industrial sectors in Chongqing, China. Source-specific emission data were collected from fifteen representative facilities encompassing furniture manufacturing, automobile production, and chemical industries through a combination of on-site sampling and comprehensive literature review. Our results reveal distinct chemical signatures and regional variations among different source categories: furniture manufacturing emissions are dominated by alkanes (65%), chemical industries exhibit 51% alkane contribution, while automobile manufacturing demonstrates a remarkably high aromatic hydrocarbon content (64%), significantly exceeding other investigated sectors. Notably, aromatic hydrocarbons—particularly benzene derivatives—emitted from automotive manufacturing facilities pose potential carcinogenic and chronic health risks to both occupational workers and surrounding populations, necessitating prioritized regulatory intervention. These locally derived emission profiles fill a critical knowledge gap in regional VOC source characterization for Chongqing, providing essential scientific evidence for accurate source apportionment and formulation of sector-specific emission reduction strategies.