Emission factor of VOCs from non-point source: Case study of chemical laboratory

Abstract

Laboratory is one of non-point source, which use chemical substance for an experimental analysis and which may release chemical into an environment. There is a lack of information about the release of chemical to the environment from laboratory activity. In this study, releasing of volatile organic compound from school, university and commercial laboratories are estimated. Direct measurement of target chemical concentrations in laboratory are taking into account the normal practice in each laboratory. Emission factors of ethyl acetate are calculated as 383.09, 174.13 and 445.53 kg (release to air) per 1000 kg of amount of usage for school laboratory (opened room), school laboratory (closed room) and university laboratory, respectively. Results of this study indicated that emission rate of VOCs from chemical laboratory will be dramatically decreased as a result of installation of VOCs treatment. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.