[Health effect of volatile aldehyde compounds in photocatalytic oxidation of aromatics compounds].

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of toluene and benzaldehyde in indoor air by N doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) was conducted under UV irradiation of 254 nm. The intermediates were identified and monitored on real-time by proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry. The health risks of PCO of toluene and benzaldehyde were assessed based on health risk influence index (eta). Results indicated that both the conversion rate and mineralization rate of toluene and benzaldehyde were relatively high, however, the volatile aldehyde compounds (VAs), including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde generated from ring-opening, significantly influenced the health risks of PCO of toluene and benzaldehyde. Acetaldehyde played a crucial role on health risks, which was inclined to desorb from the surface of catalysts, accumulate in gas-phase, and increase the health risks of PCO of the aromatic compounds. The concentration of formaldehyde kept stable at a relatively low level, however its impact cannot be neglected. In the PCO process of toluene and benzaldehyde, eta reached the maximum values of 8 499.68 and 21.43, with the eta(VAs), contribution of VAs to the health risk influence index of outlet, reaching 99.3% and 98.3%, respectively. The average values of eta in the PCO process of 30 min were 932.86 and 8.52, and for which eta(VAs), reached 98.5% and 98.0%, respectively. When PCO of toluene and benzaldehyde reached steady state, eta were 236.09 and 2.30, and eta(VAs) reached 97.9% and 97.8%, respectively. Hence, eta(VAs), can be taken as a characteristic parameter in assessment of health risks of PCO of aromatic compounds.