Non-methane volatile organic compound emission inventories in Beijing during Olympic Games 2008

Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) play important roles in ground-level ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. To evaluate the effectiveness of air quality control measures in Beijing in 2008, NMVOC emission inventories were compiled for June, July, August, and September with emission factors and updated activity data. Total NMVOC emissions were 22.6, 20.2, 14.9, and 14.6 Gg in June, July, August, and September, respectively. Anthropogenic NMVOC emissions were 45% lower in August than June; vehicles, solvent utilization, industrial processing, and miscellaneous sources declined by 66, 48, 15, and 75%, respectively. Anthropogenic NMVOC emissions increased in September compared with August. NMVOC emissions from petroleum storage and transport varied little during these months because of the installation of low-fugitive facilities. Reduced emissions from vehicles, industrial processing, and petroleum storage and transport contributed to the total anthropogenic reduction. Inventory uncertainties were evaluated to be [−51%, +126%], [−56%, +146%], [−58%, +161%], and [−52%, +133%] in June, July, August, and September, respectively, at the 95% confidence level.

► The variations of NMVOCs emissions during summer 2008 in Beijing city were estimated.
► The yellow-label vehicles were the most important fleet in vehicular emissions.
► The biogenic emissions should not be ignored in the summer.
► The emissions were consistent with ambient concentration based results.