Urban atmospheric volatile organic compounds pollution in Kazakhstan: Trends, sources identification, and health risk assessment
Ibragimova O.P. Omarova A. Tursun K. Sovetova D. Bukenov B. Baimatova N.
February 2026Elsevier B.V.
Atmospheric Pollution Research
2026#17Issue 2
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are significant atmospheric pollutants that cause adverse effects on climate and public health, impact demographics, and economic losses. VOCs contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOA), exacerbating smog and global warming. While VOCs are recognized globally as precursors, regions like Kazakhstan lack sufficient monitoring and assessments for effective air quality. This first comprehensive, year-long study (2022–2023) conducted in two urban cities in Kazakhstan assesses seasonal variations, characterizes sources using HYSPLIT and diagnostic ratios, and quantifies health risks. Annual 18 VOC concentrations were 0.07–12.03 μg/m3 in Almaty and 0.10–5.52 μg/m3 in Astana. HYSPLIT results demonstrated Almatys seasonal VOC variations reflect local and transboundary sources, peaking in winter due to stagnant conditions, while Astanas air masses consistently revealed influences from petrochemical, combustion, and industrial activities. Almaty exhibited a higher cumulative non-carcinogenic risk (HI = 0.66) than Astana (0.27), with benzene, xylenes, and naphthalene as main contributors. HI exceeded the risk threshold (21 out of 97 sampling days) in winter and spring in Almaty, while Astanas risks remain negligible. Mean cumulative lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) in Almaty (3.14 × 10−4) indicated a higher cancer risk (314 cases/million) than Astana (103 cases/million), with benzene as the primary contributor to LTCR (Almaty: 67.6%, Astana: 87.0%). VOCs reactivity linked xylenes, toluene, and pseudocumene contributed >80% to ozone formation potential, and BTEX >96% to SOA formation potential in both cities. The study recommends prioritizing regulations on reactive VOCs (BTEX, pseudocumene), with stricter benzene limits to meet WHO standards and reduce health risks.
Air quality , Health risk assessment , HYSPLIT , Kazakhstan , Volatile organic compounds
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Center of Physical Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Almaty, 050038, Kazakhstan
Center of Physical Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis
Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
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