Long-Term Halocarbon Observations in an Urban Area of the YRD Region, China: Characteristic, Sources Apportionment and Health Risk Assessment

To observe the long-term variations in halocarbons in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, this study analyzes halocarbon concentrations and composition characteristics in Shanxi from 2018 to 2020, exploring their origins and the health effects. The total concentration of halocarbons has shown an overall increasing trend, which is driven by both regulated substances (CFC-11 and CFC-113) and unregulated substances, such as dichloromethane, chloromethane and chloroform. The results of the study also reveal that dichloromethane (1.194 ± 1.003 to 1.424 ± 1.004 ppbv) and chloromethane (0.205 ± 0.185 to 0.666 ± 0.323 ppbv) are the predominant halocarbons in Shanxi, influenced by local and northwestern emissions. Next, this study identifies that neighboring cities in Zhejiang Province and other YRD areas are potentially affected by backward trajectory models. Notably, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane have consistently surpassed acceptable thresholds, indicating a significant carcinogenic risk associated with solvent usage. This research sheds light on the evolution of halocarbons in the YRD region, offering valuable data for the control and reduction in halocarbon emissions.