Motor Vehicle Exhaust at Three Selected Sites

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A comparison of particulate pollution levels at the sumner Tunnel operated as a 1-way tube in 1963 with the tunnel carrying 2-way traffic in 1961 reveals a definite decrease of pollutant levels. This decrease may be attributed to operation of the tunnel with 1-way traffic, and the concomitant piston effect of the traffic flow, and to a 36% decrease in the average number of motor vehicles using the tunnel. Concentrations of pollutants known to be associated with auto exhaust, carbon monoxide, benzene-soluble particulates, oxides of nitrogen, aliphatic aldehydes, and polynuclear hydrocarbons were greatest at the site of highest traffic density. By assuming that other pollutants and carbon monoxide are dispersed in air in a similar manner, the contribution by motor vehicles to ambient air was determined for the Sumner Tunnel. Auto exhaust appears to be a prime contributor (greater than 50%) of carbon monoxide, aliphatic aldehydes, benzene-soluble particulates, and oxides of nitrogen. Lead, benzo (g, h, i) pyrene. and coronene may also be assumed to be important pollutants from auto exhaust, but they do not meet the requirements for contribution calculations.