Semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere: A review

Abstract

Semivolatile organic pollutants (SVOP) have been linked to lung cancer mortality incidence in both the workplace and ambient environment. However, as a result of the complex nature of SVOP it has been very difficult to link specific classes of compounds with health effects in defined human populations. The present report outlines health effects, collection and analysis information pertaining to SVOP and is an attempt to highlight where improvements in the state‐of‐knowledge on these materials is clearly needed. A case study approach is utilized to characterize methodological approaches to the study of SVOP in ambient and source samples.