Concentration of some hydrocarbons in air of Hamadan in summer and autumn 2001

Background and Objective : Hydrocarbons are a group of air pollutants. Because of their harmful effects and lack of research on their concentration in Hamadan atmosphere, the present study was done to  compare the concentration of  some hydrocarbons in urban area of Hamadan   and emamzadeh Mohsen village.

Material and methods:  144 samples were collected in Hamadan during summer and autumn). Also,  9 samples were collected from emamzadeh Mohsen village that has   almost clean air. Samples were collected on charcoal tube and then analyzed by GC and  FID detector.

Results:8 hydrocarbons were identified in air of Hamadan. Only  2 hydrocarbons were identified in emamzadeh Mohsen village atmosphere. There was a significant difference in pollutants concentration of Hamadan and emamzadeh Mohsen   (P<0.01). The concentration of benzene in Hamadan atmosphere was 144.5 mg/m³ which is more than 8.9 times greater than the maximum allowable concentration.   The mean concentration of n-hexan, benzene and toluene in the Hamadan atmosphere were 123.08,144.5 and 152.58, respectively. Sum of these 8 hydrocarbons was also higher than USEPA standard for HC.

Discussion:  Air^{Pollutant prevention is necessary. There is a need for good quality management program, correct and fast planning, network monitoring, and promotion of public knowledge.}