1. Airborne Organic Toxins in Anchorage Ambient & Indoor Air
    
Will Changes in Gasoline Composition Affect Toxics Levels?
(study updates)
Air Quality Program Municipality of Anchorage
Dr. Mary Ellen Gordian
UAA

2. Why monitoring airborne organic toxics?
In 1996 study, benzene level in Anchorage homes (attached garage) was times higher than homes in lower 48
Alaska gasoline has higher benzene content (roughly 5%) than gasoline in lower 48
EPA’s new regulation: max benzene content
in gasoline < 1.3 % by July 2012
Other notes on hazardous VOCs are that
We don’t have new information on benzene level
We don’t have any information about PAHs
B/C PAH emissions increases at cold temperature, information of PAHs in the air in Anchorage may be particularly important
Lower benzene levels in indoor & ambient air ?
Any effects on other toxics like other VOCs, PAHs ?

3. new rule Year Other notes on hazardous VOCs are that
We don’t have new information on benzene level
We don’t have any information about PAHs
B/C PAH emissions increases at cold temperature, information of PAHs in the air in Anchorage may be particularly important
Year

4. Study Methods (Oct 2008 – Oct 2009)
VOC in gasoline
Regular & premium grades were collected from 12 – 20 selected gas stations in Anchorage, bi-monthly for 6 times
VOC in indoor air
Selected 509 homes with attached garage
Passive organic-vapor monitoring badges were exposed to indoor air for a week
Other notes on hazardous VOCs are that
We don’t have new information on benzene level
We don’t have any information about PAHs
B/C PAH emissions increases at cold temperature, information of PAHs in the air in Anchorage may be particularly important
VOC & PAH in ambient air
24-hour air samples were collected for VOC & PAH once every 6 days at Airport Heights
(residential area near Merrill Field Airport)

5. 4-7 times higher inside homes
Annual mean conc. in gasoline, indoor & ambient air
VOC types
Gasoline (%)
Indoor air (ppbv)
Ambient air (ppbv)
Benzene
5.1
4.7
1.06
Ethylbenzene
2.6
1.3
0.19
Toluene
18.4
12.8
1.85
Xylenes
14.4
5.8
0.87
Total BETX
40.5
24.6
3.96
Other notes on hazardous VOCs are that
We don’t have new information on benzene level
We don’t have any information about PAHs
B/C PAH emissions increases at cold temperature, information of PAHs in the air in Anchorage may be particularly important
4-7 times higher inside homes

6. More air toxins in winter!!
Seasonal changes in ambient VOC & PAH
More air toxins in winter!!
Annual mean
What about median?
Other notes on hazardous VOCs are that
We don’t have new information on benzene level
We don’t have any information about PAHs
B/C PAH emissions increases at cold temperature, information of PAHs in the air in Anchorage may be particularly important
Annual mean
2008
2009

7. Nat’l Ranking of Other VOC
Anchorage’s ranking in the Nation ( )
Source: EPA database (2008)
What about comparing to other residential monitoring sites in winter cities? Instead of comparing with EPA’s Superfund areas? Anchorage may be #1 for all categories…
What about outdoor benzene level?
This slide shows national ranking of ambient-air benzene levels for 2007.
Other large cities on Pacific Coast are doing much better than Anchorage.
....
Anchorage
Seattle
Minneapolis
Ethylbenzene 7 40
247
Toluene 2
122
232
Xylene 37
214
Nat’l Ranking of Other VOC

8. Benzene ranking #3-5 --- Tonawanda, NY
Source: Clean air coalition of western New York (

9. Other locations that made TOP 10 for 3 categories:
Azusa, Los Angels co, CA.
Burbank, Los Angels co, CA
Elizabeth, NJ
High-volume traffic
Heavy industrial area
Trucking/train hub
Large facility of chemical company
280 78 78
Trucking & cargo hub
Newark Int’l Airport 95