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In the present study, statistical methods based on multivariate analyses such as the Descriptive Discriminant Analysis (DDA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied to determine relationships between particle sizes and the composition of the associated semi-volatile compounds, in addition to evaluating these observations in relation to the emission sources, study areas, sampling campaigns and season. Results from the DDA showed that the PAHs distributions give the best discrimination capacity within the data set, whereas the PAH distribution in intermediate particle fractions incorporates noise in the statistical analysis. The PCA was useful in identifying the main emission sources in each study area. It showed that in the city of La Plata the most important pollution sources are traffic emissions and the industrial activity associated with oil and petrochemical plants. In Leipzig, the main sources are those associated with traffic and also a power plant. The combined PCA and DDA methods applied to PAH distributions is a valuable tool in characterizing types of emissions burdens and also in obtaining a differentiation of sample identity according to study areas and sampling times.

The influence of air pollution on human health has been studied during the last decades. In this sense, several epidemiological studies have shown an association between air pollutants and various diseases. In the present study an epidemiological questionnaire was applied to a population of children between 3 and 6 years of La Plata and its neighbouring areas, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Four different areas were considered: urban, industrial, semi-rural and residential. Results show significant correlations between industrial area and chronic bronchitis and skin photosensitivity. These results depend on the high levels of particles, organic compounds bound to particles and volatile organic compounds found in the industrial area compared to control zones. Other significant correlations are related to the use of kerosene for heating and cooking, and a predisposition to develop bronchitis. Besides, the analyses of questionnaires show a correlation between bronchiolitis and heavy traffic. This investigation contributes with preliminary information to future epidemiological studies in the region.

Se informa sobre un estudio realizado en un sector de las ciudades de La Plata y Ensenada,que recibe una gran proporcion de emisiones de compuestos organicos volatiles provenientes del polo industrial localizado en esa region y conformado fundamentalmente,por industrias del petroleo,petroquimicas,asi como las generadas por el transito vehicular.Los compuestos estudiados fueron alcanos,cicloalcanos,aromaticos,hidrocarburos organoclorados,alcoholes,aldehidos,cetonas,esteres y terpenos

As part of an investigation into the relationship of volatile organic compounds in ambient air and a nearby refinery, a risk assessment was performed as well as an analysis of the attribution of each source contributing to the emission of pollutants. The compounds under consideration being the alkanes, chlorinated hydrocarbons, aromatics, and aldehydes. Taking into account the sources (refinery and/or traffic) and the possible source-attributable pollutant combinations, locally dependent pollution profiles were observed. While aromatics and aldehydes were distributed relatively uniformly, the combination aromatics and alkanes at several localities pointed clearly to the refinery as the source of the pollution. An analysis of the indoor measurements at a school close to the refinery demonstrated the necessity of identifying the source of the pollutants in order to be able to bring about environmental conditions acceptable to human health.