PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF BTEX CONCENTRATIONS INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR IN RESIDENTIAL HOMES IN HANOI, VIETNAM

Abstract

Indoor air quality is considered to be of great concern due to its adverse impact on the human health nowadays. BTEX concentrations in 29 residential homes including (new/renovated and  old) were studied in Hanoi Metropolis and influencing parameters such as smoke habit, cooking appliances, solvent consumption, and ventilation system were considered in this study. Samples were conducted using active diffusion monitors and analyzed by GC/FID. Concentrations of BTEX indoor and outdoor in new/innovated homes were significantly higher than those in old homes. Benzene was used as cancer risk maker, whereas toluene and xylene were used as non-cancer risk marker. Among BTEX compounds, xylene showed the most notable hazard quotient and was the main pollutants responsible for high risk for the toddlers. Benzene showed an upper-bound life time cancer risk that exceeds the US.EPA benmark, presenting moderate risk for the toddlers.