Ambient air pollutant analyses-integral part of an environmental impact study

Data for the major pollutants; carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, photochemical oxidants, suspended particulates, and total hydrocarbons, have been presented. In addition, lead analysis and a justification for no sulfur oxides data are also discussed. This study was an integral part of an Environmental Impact Study carried out by the Chemistry Department and the Institute of Transportation Studies a Villanova University. Some of the pollutants were found to cause a situation of concern; namely, photochemical oxidants, suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides. On the otherhand, carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbons were found to be well below limits set by the EPA. Although no standards are set for lead in ambient air, the data showed very low concentrations of this pollutant in our particulate samples. Since oxides ofsulfur are more an industrial, rather than transportation, pollutant little relevance could have been found for the type of study performed.