Atmospheric BTX and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Chemosphere
; 47(4): 417-25, 2002 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11999618
ABSTRACT
Polycyclic aromatic and monoaromatic (benzene, toluene and xylene, or BTX) hydrocarbons were monitored in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the summer of 1998/1999. The levels of these aromatic chemicals decreased with distance from main roads, indicating mobile sources are the main pollutant emitters in this Latin American city. Benzo[ghi]perylene/indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzene/toluene ratios corroborate this idea. However, higher benzene/toluene ratios at one of the major access routes into the city suggest pollutant inputs from a nearby refinery. Literature data were reviewed in order to outline differences and similarities among sources and levels of aromatic pollutants in large urban agglomerations worldwide. Concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and benzene, which are well-known carcinogenic chemicals, were relatively low in Rio de Janeiro. This fact was attributed to specific atmospheric conditions during the tropical summer and differences in vehicle fuel composition.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
/
Toluene
/
Xylenes
/
Benzene
/
Air Pollutants
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Language:
En
Journal:
Chemosphere
Year:
2002
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil