| Abstract |
A study was undertaken to determine the concentrations of N-nitrosamines (specifically N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosomorpholine), hydrogen cyanide, and other volatile organic compounds emitted from the interiors of new cars. The three cars tested were placed in an enclosed shed and heated with infrared tungsten lamps to simulate the temperature rise (heat build-up) in the interior of the cars as if the cars were sitting outdoors on a hot sunny day. The air inside the car as well as the air inside the shed was sampled during the entire temperature rise of 'heat build-up' cycle (ambient, ambient to 60C, and 60C). These air samples were pulled through cartridges containing adsorbents such as Thermosorb (specifically to collect for N-nitrosamines) and Tenax (used to collect volatile organic compounds), as well as pulling the air through impingers and also into Tedlar bags to analyze for hydrogen cyanide. Low concentrations of N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosomorpholine were measured in the car interiors during the heating process, but higher concentrations of these same N-nitrosamines were measured outside of the cars. No hydrogen cyanide was detected inside of or outside the two cars tested for this compound. A significant background (mainly gasoline vapors) was obtained for the measurement of other volatile organic compounds, which prevented any meaningful comparison between the car interior and shed emissions. This report covers a period from May, 1980 to February, 1981 and work was completed as of February, 1981. |
