Abstract

As the result of special traffic conditions at a point in Sydney, diesel-powered vehicles are partially segregated in one of 10 road lanes during the peak evening period. Because of this, it was found possible to sample simultaneously in two of the road lanes, about 40 feet apart, only one of which was carrying diesel vehicles. For approximately one month samples were collected for part of the evening traffic peak period and were then pooled and analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Because it was also necessary for vehicles to stop briefly, all were accelerating past the sampling point. An association was established between traffic containing diesel vehicles and the concentrations of smoke, 1,2-benzpyrene, 3,4-benzpyrene, 1,12-benzperylene, and coronene.