Ambient Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds
- National ambient levels of volatile organic compounds
- Regional ambient levels of volatile organic compounds
- Ambient levels of volatile organic compounds at monitoring stations
- Related indicators and other information
National ambient level of volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are solid or liquid organic compounds containing one or more carbon atoms that evaporate readily to the atmosphere to become gases. VOC are emitted to the air by natural sources (vegetation, forest fires) and human-caused sources (oil and gas industry, solvent usage and transportation). Although natural sources of VOC emission are larger overall, human-caused sources are the main contributors of VOC in those areas where Canadians live and work. Many VOC are toxic air pollutants that can cause cancer and other serious health problems.
In Canada, the average concentration of the measured VOC in the air for 2010 was 57.5 parts per billion carbon (ppbC), or 7% lower than in 2009. A declining trend was detected from 1996 to 2010, representing a concentration decrease of 57% over that period. The decrease in VOC concentration is consistent with the reduction in VOC emission from cars and trucks, resulting from the introduction of more stringent emissions standards.
Volatile organic compound concentrations, Canada, 1996 to 2010
Note: The volatile organic compounds (VOC) indicator is based on the annual average of the daily concentrations recorded at 29 monitoring stations across Canada. A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program.
Regional ambient levels of volatile organic compounds
Atlantic Canada
In Atlantic Canada, the average concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air for 2010 was 44 parts per billion carbon (ppbC), 23% lower than in 2009. A declining trend was detected from 1996 to 2010, representing a concentration decrease of 33% over that period. This decrease in concentration is mostly attributable to the reduction in VOC emissions from cars and trucks, as a result of more stringent emissions standards.
Volatile organic compound concentrations, Atlantic Canada, 1996 to 2010
Note: The volatile organic compounds (VOC) indicator is based on the annual average of the daily concentrations recorded at 4 monitoring stations across Atlantic Canada. A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program.
Quebec
The average concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air for 2010 was 42 parts per billion carbon (ppbC), 4% higher than in 2009. A declining trend was detected from 1996 to 2010, representing a concentration decrease of 67% over that period. This decrease in concentration is mostly attributable to the reduction in VOC emissions from cars and trucks, as a result of more stringent emissions standards.
Volatile organic compound concentrations, Quebec, 1996 to 2010
Note: The volatile organic compounds (VOC) indicator is based on the annual average of the daily concentrations recorded at 8 monitoring stations across Quebec. A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program.
Ontario
In Ontario, the average concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air for 2010 was 35 parts per billion carbon (ppbC), 5% lower than in 2009. A declining trend was detected from 1996 to 2010, representing a concentration decrease of 69% over that period. This decrease in concentration is mostly attributable to the reduction in VOC emissions from cars and trucks, as a result of more stringent emissions standards.
Volatile organic compound concentrations, Ontario, 1996 to 2010
Note: The volatile organic compounds (VOC) indicator is based on the annual average of the daily concentrations recorded at 11 monitoring stations across Ontario. A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program.
Prairies
In the Prairies, the average concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air for 2010 was 119 parts per billion carbon (ppbC) or 10% lower than in 2009. A declining trend was detected from 1996 to 2010, representing a concentration decrease of 50% over that period. This decrease in concentration is mostly attributable to the reduction in VOC emissions from cars and trucks, as a result of more stringent emissions standards.
Volatile organic compound concentrations, Prairies, 1996 to 2010
Note: The volatile organic compounds (VOC) indicator is based on the annual average of the daily concentrations recorded at 4 monitoring stations across the Prairies. A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, the average concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the air for 2010 was 104 parts per billion carbon (ppbC) or 19% lower than in 2009. A declining trend was detected from 1996 to 2010, representing a concentration decrease of 49% over that period. This decrease in concentration is mostly attributable to the reduction in VOC emissions from cars and trucks, as a result of more stringent emissions standards.
Volatile organic compound concentrations, British Columbia, 1996 to 2010
Note: The volatile organic compounds (VOC) indicator is based on the annual average of the daily concentrations recorded at 2 monitoring stations across British Columbia. A trend line is reported only when a statistical trend is detected at the 90% confidence level.
Source: Environment Canada (2012) National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program.
Ambient levels of volatile organic compounds at monitoring stations
The National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) program provides detailed information on air pollutant concentrations from monitoring stations across Canada. Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) provide access to this indicator through an online interactive map. With the CESI interactive map, you can drill down to local areas and obtain details on VOC concentrations at specific monitoring stations.
Related indicators
- Ambient Levels of Fine Particulate Matter
- Ambient Levels of Ground-Level Ozone
- Ambient Levels of Sulphur Dioxide
- Ambient Levels of Nitrogen Dioxide
- International Comparison: Urban Air Quality
Other information
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