A review on the atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Asia since 2000 - Part II: Data from developing countries

Abstract

This review paper describes the ambient air PAH concentrations in different developing Asian countries, including China, Afghanistan, India, Malaysia, Turkey, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia. In this study, more than 75 research papers published in the English literature were reviewed with respect to the seasonal and locational concentrations of PAHs in each of 9 different Asian countries. This study compared, discussed and tabulated the PAH concentrations in developing Asian countries over a one decade (2000-2011) period. The PAH concentrations measured in developing countries highlights the necessity to improve the air quality in those countries. Compared to the developed nations in Asia, developing countries are almost one decade away from implementing environmental policies, such as Euro standards. This review discusses the reasons for the high PAH concentrations in developing nations particularly in China and India. Based on the literature available, some suggestions are made to reduce the concentrations of PAHs in the ambient air of developing nations. The total data obtained from the literature survey is tabulated and presented as supplementary information at the end of the manuscript.