A study of volatile organic compounds evolved in urban waste disposal bins

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) evolved in urban waste disposal bins in different situations were studied. Waste of various loads (full, empty, partially filled bins), remained uncollected in the containers for variable time and under different weather conditions. Analysis of VOCs was carried out by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS). Over 150 compounds have been identified and the 30 most abundant were quantified. Generally, VOCs were determined in the range of micrograms per cubic meter. Median concentrations of the most prominent VOCs were: decane (694.9 μg m−3), acetic acid ethyl ester (353.1 μg m−3), limonene (334.9 μg m−3), nonane (257.4 μg m−3), ethanol (216.1 μg m−3), benzene 1,2,4-trimethyl (212.6 μg m−3) and undecane (159.1 μg m−3). High levels of alkanes, alkylbenzenes and terpenes are responsible for undesirable odours. The variety and concentration of VOCs evolved depends on the prevailing conditions such as time of waste exposure, load and weather. When waste accumulates in bins under unforeseen circumstances, some compounds produced may exceed olfactory and safety thresholds representing a source of potential health impact.