The results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) demonstrate that the volatiles captured by diamond grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technology contain hydrocarbons and their derivatives (72.2 rel. %). We have identified aliphatic (paraffins and olefins), cyclic (naphthenes and arenes) and oxygenated (alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids) hydrocarbons, as well as nitrogenated and sulfonated compounds. Water, negligible amounts of CO2 and Ar were also detected among the volatile components.

Volatile organic compounds in the ambient air were gathered irregularly by normal temperature concentrating method at Odea-ri and Oceon-ri Ulsan-gun in the neighbourhood of Ulsan Petrochemical Industrial Complex and analyzed with gas chromatograph. Several hydrocarbons in common atmospheric air or emitted fugitively from the chemical plants were identified and quantified by comparison with the retention times of standard compounds. The results from several field surveys in 1992 show that the concentrations of styrene at residential area of Odea-ri and Ocheon--ri were less than 0.4 ppm, but once a while greater within the chemical plants area. When it smelled unpleasantly in these area, the concentration of hydrocarbons were also high. It was concluded that the close and long-term investigation about other odorous components but hydrocarbons will be necessary to ascertain the cause of unpleasant odor of these area.