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Trends in motor-vehicle related air pollutants in central London

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Abstract

Results of intermittent monitoring of six aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, m-xylene, p-xylene and o-xylene), carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen over a thirteen year period at a site in central London (Exhibition Road) are presented. Four monitoring regimes were undertaken; namely, 1979, 1982/83, 1986/87 and 1991/92. The summertime daytime mean ambient concentrations of the measured parameters at this site are presented. The reported concentrations show a reduction from 1979 to 1992 by approximately a factor of two, despite national increases in motor fuel consumption and the volume of traffic. Relevant European Community legislation covering emissions from motor-vehicles are outlined and comparisons are made with emissions from motor vehicles predicted from the UK national inventory. The importance of the frequency of measurements was also noted.

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Field, R.A., Brown, J.R., Goldstone, M.E. et al. Trends in motor-vehicle related air pollutants in central London. Environ Monit Assess 43, 101–116 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00398601

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