TITLE:
Ambient Air Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compound (NMVOC) Study Initiatives in India–A Review
AUTHORS:
Amrita Talapatra, Anjali Srivastava
KEYWORDS:
VOC, India, BTEX, HAP, Biofilters, Catalytic Combustion
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.2 No.1,
March
8,
2011
ABSTRACT: Different aspects of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are being investigated in details by different research groups in Indian institutes. The spectrum covers measuring technologies, source apportionment and variability studies, all these are in due process of preparing a guideline for the sustainable development in terms of industrial, infrastructural as well as overall growth of the country. Both the outdoor and indoor air quality has significant impact on human health. With special concentration on BTEX and HAPs, the health related investigations are conducted as part of interdisciplinary studies of environmental science. Newer technologies to remove VOCs under specific industrial and practical conditions are getting emerged as a comparatively new era. It addresses fields like adsorption, condensation, pervaporation, biodegradation and catalytic combustion. Besides, different kinds of biofilters have drawn significant attention nowadays. The final selection of appropriate technology depends on type and concentrations of VOCs, extent of separation required and cost involved. All these technologies are although well studied, but could not be adopted for regular commercial usage till date. There is scope to explore new horizons as well as regular monitoring on the introduced pathways to limit VOC emission in the ambient air. This review aims at a concise discussion on all the areas that come under the umbrella of non-methane VOC technologies.