Seasonal impact and meteorological factors affecting the distribution of volatile organic compound concentrations and health risk assessment inside and outside industrial estates: A case study of Rayong Province, Thailand

Abstract

This study investigated seasonal and meteorological factors affecting the concentration levels of 1,2-dichloroethane, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene and conducted health risk assessments inside and outside the industrial estate in Rayong Province, Thailand. Volatile organic compound concentrations and meteorological data from 2019 to 2023 were analysed. Temperature and relative humidity showed a medium-level linear relationship with the concentration of 1,2-dichloroethane at Wat Nong Fab (R² = 0.549, p < 0.01). Inhalation exposure of 1,3-butadiene posed the highest risk in the cold season (hazard quotient (HQ) = 7.949), with an annual average HQ of 2.72. Therefore, the controlling exposure to 1,3-butadiene and tracking health outcomes when exposure occurs is paramount, especially during the cold season.