The Science of the total environment
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Two measurement campaigns aimed at measuring the air pollutant emissions of vehicles (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, benzo[a]pyrene and formaldehyde) have been carried out using on-board sampling or analysis equipment in public buses in two major French towns. The study had a double objective: (i) to assess the occupational exposure through pollutant measurements in the breathing zone of the drivers at their working posts, (ii) to compare the quality of the air sampled outside, either at the bus front (current position of the ventilation air intake), or on the vehicle roof. Carbon monoxide measurements were performed with several Ecolyser (electrochemical detection) standardized with a Mahiak Unor 6N infra-red non-dispersive analyser and nitrogen mono- and dioxide with AC 30 M Environment S. ⋯ On the contrary, concentrations reached the levels recommended by international air quality standards (OMS, US or European standards) for carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead. When CO mean concentration values by bus lines in the driver's breathing zone are compared with the measurement results provided for the same sample days by the Air-Parif control network (in Paris), or the Gertrude traffic management system (in Bordeaux), it may be assumed that they are at the level of the most polluted surveillance stations. The CO concentrations are significantly lower in the outdoor air coming from the roof than in that coming from the front of the bus, so that better indoor air quality at the driving post can be found with air intake from an upper than a lower part.
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Sci. Total Environ. · Oct 1991
Sweat lead levels in persons with high blood lead levels: experimental elevation of blood lead by ingestion of lead chloride.
Blood lead levels were experimentally elevated in two subjects by ingestion of single oral doses of lead as lead chloride. Serial samples of blood, urine and sweat were collected subsequently. ⋯ In spite of increases in blood and urinary lead levels, no increases in sweat lead levels were recorded. Possible reasons for this observation are discussed.
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Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl (MMT) has been shown to be an effective octane enhancer in gasoline. It is presently used in the U. S. in leaded gasoline and in Canada in both leaded and unleaded gasoline. ⋯ Authors of several health assessments on MMT concluded the increase in environmental levels of manganese oxides would be slight compared to the natural background levels of manganese and would present no health hazards. Studies showed that MMT usage had no effect on CO emissions, caused a slight decrease in NOx emissions, and a slight increase in HC emissions. MMT usage caused a decrease in NOx + HC emissions in one test and had no effect in another.
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Sci. Total Environ. · Dec 1987
Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in petrol: the toxicological issues.
Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), when used as an octane improver in petrol, leads to increased airborne levels of manganese in the form of Mn3O4. The potential health effects of increased airborne manganese are considered in this paper. ⋯ The major toxicological effects of manganese, observed after long occupational exposure, are on the lung (manganese pneumonia) and the central nervous system (manganism). The small increase in airborne manganese from the use of MMT in petrol is 3-4 orders of magnitude lower than the level required to produce toxic symptoms of manganese exposure, even in areas of high traffic density, and no health risk from the use of MMT is likely.
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Sci. Total Environ. · Dec 1984
Comparative StudyHealth and environmental implications of trace metals released from coal-fired power plants: an assessment study of the situation in the European Community.
In the European Community (EC) the anticipated increased use of coal for power production will lead to an increase in the release of trace metals into the environment. This release seems unlikely to cause toxicological effects through the food chain, but there may be a possibility of a direct impact on man through inhalation. There are, however, many areas of uncertainty which need to be clarified by further research before a definitive assessment can be made.