Recent Advancement in Organic Aerosol Understanding: a Review of Their Sources, Formation, and Health Impacts

Abstract

Understanding the sources, mechanisms, and potential health impacts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and secondary organic aerosols (SOA) is crucial for safeguarding human health, promoting sustainable industry and infrastructure practices, and addressing climatic challenges. These compounds originating from both anthropogenic and natural activities play a pivotal role in shaping air quality, climate dynamics, and public well-being. A comprehensive comprehension of their processes, interactions, and influence on atmospheric chemistry is imperative for devising effective strategies to mitigate associated health risks. This review comprehensively addresses the formation of biogenic and anthropogenic SOA, elucidates the intricate chemistry governing SOA generation, and expounds upon their far-reaching impacts. By encompassing diverse aspects such as tropospheric ozone, indoor and outdoor VOC and SOA formation, and the dynamic processes occurring during day and night cycles, this study facilitates a holistic understanding of the intricate interplay between VOC, SOA, and environmental dynamics, additionally underscores the importance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in this context. A deeper grasp of VOC and SOA sources, their transformation mechanisms, and the resulting implications will foster innovative solutions aimed at minimizing health risks, advancing sustainable industry practices, and driving climate action. This review delves into the multifaceted realm of VOC and SOA, highlighting their significance in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SGD-3 (Good Health and Well-being), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action). © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.