Volatile hazardous hydrocarbons in a Scandinavian urban road tunnel

Journal article, 1992

Vehicle-emitted hydrocarbons were assessed in the major Tingstad tunnel in Göteborg, Sweden. Samples were taken on adsorbent cartridges and analyzed by gas chromatography after thermal desorption. Although the tunnel is only 454 m long, the concentration levels were found to be approximately five times higher than inside commuter cars on roads with similar traffic. Representative proportions of non-methane hydrocarbons were 14% for alkenes, 32% for alkanes and as much as 49% for arenes. Benzene and ethene, representing particular health hazards, constituted about 7% each. Characteristic concentration ratios are given for sixteen alkenes and alkadienes. Health hazards for vulnerable motorists and implications for existing and planned road tunnels are discussed.