Use of leaded gasoline and volatile halogenated hydrocarbon emission from automotive exhaust

The presence of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHH) in the atmosphere of the urban areas of Piedmont and its possible correlation with traffic has been studied. Automotive exhausts of leaded and unleaded gasoline were tested, according to the "European Cycle" of the EEC guidlines N.C. 181/89, 7/9/1982, for the presence of seven VHH. The results show that VHH are produced in concentrations roughly proportional to the number of kilometres covered by each car. Cars filled with unleaded gasoline were substantially free of VHH. Thus, some of the VHH found in the atmosphere may arise from automotive (leaded petrol) exhausts.