IDENTIFICATION BENZENE, TOLUENE, ETHYLBENZENE, AND XYLENE (BTEX) IN THE CAR CABIN

• Main Author: Pasha Ariobimo, Muhammad
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Teknik saniter dan perkotaan; teknik perlindungan lingkungan
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/63803
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The use of cars in Indonesia cannot be separated from the condition of the car being parked and exposed to the hot sun. Car interiors made of synthetic materials including thermoplastic will emit Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) into the car cabin such as Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene or commonly abbreviated as BTEX. Apart from car cabin materials, pollution in the car cabin also comes from vehicle fuel leaks, other car emissions, infiltration from outside air. The sample car is 3 different types of private cars. This study was conducted to identify BTEX compounds found in car cabins in Indonesia, especially in DKI Jakarta. In addition, an analysis of the relationship between the concentration of BTEX in the car cabin and the duration of drying in the sun will be carried out. The results of this final project are expected to increase awareness about air quality in car cabins in Indonesia and moreover there is no study on air quality in car cabins in Indonesia. The identification results indicate the presence of Benzene compounds, and the concentration of Benzene can be determined at 0.77-1.36 mg/m³ in the car cabin. The results of the discussion stated that there was a significant positive relationship with the correlation coefficient R=1 (p=0.01) between the benzene concentration in the three cars and changes in the temperature inside the car cabin. While the duration of drying the car in the sun did not fully affect the concentration of benzene in the car cabin because 2 cars had an insignificant negative correlation, while the other car gave a significant positive correlation due to different temperature changes in the three cars. This is influenced by the temperature that continues to increase during drying in 1 car and in 2 other cars, possibly due to the temperature in the car cabin not constantly rising for the duration of drying in the sun.