Measuring concentrations of selected air pollutants inside California vehicles. Final report
This project measured 2-hour integrated concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, metals and a number of organic chemicals including benzene and MTBE inside vehicles on California roadways. Using continuous samplers, particle counts, black carbon, and CO were also measured. In addition to measuring in-vehicle levels, the investigators measured pollutant levels just outside the vehicle, at roadside stations, and ambient air monitoring stations. Different driving scenarios were designed to assess the effects of a number of factors on in-vehicle pollutant levels. These factors included roadway type, carpool lanes, traffic conditions, geographical locations, vehicle type, and vehicle ventilation conditions. The statewide average in-vehicle concentrations of benzene, MTBE, and formaldehyde ranged from 3--22 {micro}g/m{sup 3}, 3--90 {micro}g/m{sup 3}, and 0---22 {micro}g/m{sup 3}, respectively. The ranges of mean PM10 and PM2.5 in-vehicle levels in Sacramento were 20--40 {micro}g/m{sup 3} and 6--22 {micro}g/m{sup 3}, respectively. In general, pollutant levels inside or just outside the vehicles were higher than those measured at the roadside stations or the ambient air stations. In-vehicle pollutant levels were consistently higher in Los Angeles than Sacramento. Pollutant levels measured inside vehicles traveling in a carpool lane were much lower than those in the right-hand, slower lanes. Under the study conditions, factors such as vehicle type and ventilation and little effect on in-vehicle pollutant levels. Other factors, such as roadway type, freeway congestion level, and time-of-day had some influence on in-vehicle pollution levels.
- Research Organization:
- Research Triangle Inst., Research Triangle Park, NC (US); Sierra Research, Inc., Sacramento, CA (US); Aerosol Dynamics, Inc., Berkeley, CA (US); Nevada Univ. System, Reno, NV (US); California State Air Resources Board, Sacramento, CA (US); Research Triangle Inst., Durham, NC (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20005918
- Report Number(s):
- PB-99-161028/XAB; Contract CARB-95-339; TRN: US0000615
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: See also PB92-235837. Prepared in cooperation with Sierra Research, Inc., Sacramento, CA., Aerosol Dynamics, Inc., Berkeley, CA. and Nevada Univ. System, Reno. Desert Research Inst. Sponsored by California State Air Resources Board, Sacramento. Research Div.; PBD: Jan 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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