Comparison of the Mutagenicity of Exhaust Emissions From Motor Vehicles Using Leaded and Unleaded Gasoline as Fuel

While Unleaded gasoline has the advantage of eliminating lead from automobile exhaust, its potential to reduce the exhaust gas and particles, merits further examination. In the present studies,the concentrations of hydrocarbons (HC) and earbon monoxides (CO) in emissions were analyzed on Santana engine Dynamometer under a standard test cycle, and total exhaust particles were collected from engines using leaded and unleaded gasoline. It was found that unleaded gasoline reduced the emissions of CO and HC, and decreased the quantity of vehicle exhaust particulate matters by 60%.With the unlead gasoline, only 23 kinds of organic substances, adsorbed in the particles, were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) while 32 components were detected using the leaded gasoline. The results of in vitro Salmonella/ microsomal test and micronucleus induction assay in CHL cells indicated that both types of gasoline increased the number of histidine-independent colonies and the frequencies of micronucleus induction; no significant differellce was found in their mutagenicity.

Impacts of converting from leaded to unleaded gasoline on ambient lead concentrations in Jakarta metropolitan area

Total suspended particulate mater （TSP） concentrations were monitored for one year from July 2000 and for one year from April 2003 in Jakarta City. Thirteen elemental TSP components, aluminum （Al）, sodium （Na）, iron （Fe）, lead （Pb）, potassium （K）, zinc （Zn）, titanium （Ti）, manganese （Mn）, bromine （Br）, copper （Cu）, chromium （Cr）, nickel （Ni）, and vanadium （V） were analyzed by a sequential X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Al, Na, Fe, K, and Pb were major components at most of the sampling locations in 2000. However, only Pb in 2003 dramatically decreased to one tenth. The phase-out of leaded gasoline began on July 1, 2001 in Jakarta City and lead content in gasoline decreased to one tenth, too. The decrease in Pb concentration was a result of the phase-out of leaded gasoline, as lead emissions mainly are exhaust gas from vehicles.

Benzene and lead exposure assessment among occupational bus drivers in Bangkok traffic

Four environmental and biological monitoring sites were strategically established to evaluate benzene and lead exposure assessment at various traffic zones of Bangkok Metropolitan Region(BMR). Biological measurement of 48 non air-conditioned, male bus drivers was carried to study the relationship between individual exposure levels and exposure biomarkers. The study group was further sub-divided into four age groups(16—25, 26—35, 36—45 and 46—55 years old) to monitor the age—related exposure effects. A total of 12 unexposed persons were deliberately chosen as the control group. Measurement of unmetobolized benzene in blood and analysis of urinary tt-Muconic acid urine and urinary creatinine are recommended as biomarkers of benzene exposure. Measurement of lead in blood and urine is also recommended for the biological monitoring of lead exposure. During the monitoring period, benzene and lead levels at Yaowarat Road was C_6H_6: 42.46±3.88 μg/m 3, Pb: 0.29±0.03 μg/m 3 and decreased to C_6H_6: 33.5±1.35 μg/m 3, Pb: 0.13±0.01 μg/m 3 at Phahonyothin Road. Significant difference was established between the nonsmoking exposed group and nonsmoking control group for blood benzene concentrations ( P <0.001, two-tailed, Mann-Whiteney U test). Strong correlations were also found between trans-trans-Muconic acid concentrations in post shift samples and atmospheric benzene concentrations. Similarly, good correlation between all of biomarkers and lead level in air is established from automobile emissions.The analysis revealed that among the occupational population in the urban sites, the driver groups were found to have the highest risk of benzene and lead exposures derived from automobile emission.

Study on microstructure and properties of brass containing Sb and Mg

A novel free-cutting unleaded brass containing antimony and magnesium was prepared by gravity casting and hot extrusion. Microstructure of the hot extruded Sb-Mg brass was studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). Its mechanical properties were measured by tensile test, and cutting performance was investigated by lathe turning experiment. Results showed that microstructure of the hot extruded Sb-Mg brass was composed of α, β phases and Sb-Mg containing intermetallic compounds. The newly developed brass was compared with the HPb59-1 brass for its mechanical property. Its cutting performance was close to that of a German free-cutting unleaded brass. Sb-Mg brass has potential to replace HPb59-1 brass so as to reduce cost and protect environment.