Spatial analysis of volatile organic compounds using passive samplers in the Rubbertown industrial area of Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Select volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in the vicinity of chemical facilities and other operations in the Rubbertown industrial area of Louisville, Kentucky (USA) using modified EPA Methods 325A/B passive sampler tubes. Two-week, time-integrated passive samplers were deployed at ten sites which were aggregated into three site groups of varying distances from the Rubbertown area facilities. In comparison to canister data from 2001 to 2005, two of the sites suggested generally lower current VOC levels. Good precision was obtained from the duplicate tubes (≤ 12%) for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX), styrene, 1,3-butadiene, perchloroethylene, and other trace VOCs. BTEX, styrene, and 1,3-butadiene concentrations were statistically significantly higher at two site groups near Rubbertown sources than the site group farther away. As found in a similar study in South Philadelphia, BTEX concentrations were also lower for sites farther from a source, though the decline was less pronounced on a percentage basis in Rubbertown. These results suggest that EPA Methods 325A/B can be useful to assess VOC gradients for emissions from chemical facilities besides fenceline benzene levels from refineries.