Characterization of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions From Carpet Cushions

Abstract

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating chemical emissions from carpet systems in order to determine whether the emissions may be responsible for the numerous health complaints associated with carpet installation. As part of this effort, a study was conducted to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air by five major product types of new carpet cushions. Cushion samples were tested in small-volume dynamic chambers over a six-hour exposure period. Airborne VOCs collected on multisorbent samplers were identified using sensitive gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The emissions of selected VOCs were quantitated with the small-scale chamber method and further characterized in larger environmental chambers conducted over a 96-hour period under conditions more representative of indoor environments. A separate chamber method was developed to screen polyurethane cushions for emissions of toluene diisocyanates (TDI). Over 100 VOCs, spanning a broad range of chemical classes, were emitted from 17 carpet cushions. The pattern of emitted VOCs varied between and among product types, which reflects probable differences in manufacturing processes and ingredients. No significant quantities of TDI or formaldehyde were released by any cushions. Emission profiles were characterized for total VOCs and for the predominant individual VOCs. As a group, the synthetic fiber cushion samples emitted the lowest quantities of VOCs. Cushion samples purchased from carpet retailers released lesser amounts of VOCs than samples of the same cushion types obtained directly from the manufacturing mills, suggesting that chemical losses from the bulk material may ensue as a result of transport, handling, and storage prior to installation. The data suggest that placement of carpet on top of a carpet cushion, as would occur in a residential installation, reduced the rate of some VOC emissions when compared to the cushion alone.     

Influence of Oxygenated Fuels on the Emissions from Three Pre-1985 Light-Duty Passenger Vehicles

Tailpipe and evaporative emissions from three pre-1985 passenger motor vehicles operating on an oxygenated blend fuel and on a nonoxygenated base fuel were characterized. Emission data were collected for vehicles operating over the Federal Test Procedure at 40,75, and 90°F to simulate ambient driving conditions. The two fuels tested were a commercial summer grade regular gasoline (the nonoxygenated base fuel) and an oxygenated fuel containing 9.5 percent methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), more olefins, and fewer aromatics than the base fuel. The emissions measured were total hydrocarbons (THCs), speciated hydrocarbons, speciated aldehydes, carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), benzene, and 1,3-butadiene.

This study showed no pattern of tailpipe regulated emission reduction when oxygenated fuel was used. Tailpipe emissions from the 1984 Buick Century without a catalyst and the 1977 Mustang with catalyst decreased with the MTBE fuel. However, emissions from the 1984 Buick Century and the 1980 Chevrolet Citation, both fitted with catalysts increased. The vehicles emitted more 1,3- butadiene and, in general, more NO_x when operated with the base fuel.

THC, CO, benzene, and 1,3-butadiene emissions from both fuels and all vehicles, in general, decreased with increasing test temperature, whereas NO_x emissions, in general, increased with increasing test temperature. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and total aldehydes also showed a decrease in emissions as test temperature increased. More formaldehyde was emitted when the MTBE fuel was used.

Evaporative, diurnal, and hot soak emissions from the base fuel were greater than those from the MTBE fuel. The evaporated emissions from both fuels increased with increasing test temperatures. Diurnal data indicate that canister conditioning (bringing the evaporative charcoal canister to equilibrium) is required before testing.     

Speciation and quantification of vapor phases in soy biodiesel and waste cooking oil biodiesel

This study characterizes the compositions of two biodiesel vapors, soy biodiesel and waste cooking oil biodiesel, to provide a comprehensive understanding of biodiesels. Vapor phases were sampled by purging oil vapors through thermal desorption tubes which were then analyzed by the thermal desorption/GC/MS system. The results show that the compounds of biodiesel vapors can be divided into four groups. They include methyl esters (the main biodiesel components), oxygenated chemicals, alkanes and alkenes, and aromatics. The first two chemical groups are only found in biodiesel vapors, not in the diesel vapor emissions. The percentages of mean concentrations for methyl esters, oxygenated chemicals, alkanes and alkenes, and aromatics are 66.1%, 22.8%, 4.8% and 6.4%, respectively for soy biodiesel, and 35.8%, 35.9%, 27.9% and 0.3%, respectively for waste cooking oil biodiesel at a temperature of 25 ± 2 °C. These results show that biodiesels have fewer chemicals and lower concentrations in vapor phase than petroleum diesel, and the total emission rates are between one-sixteenth and one-sixth of that of diesel emission, corresponding to fuel evaporative emissions of loading losses of between 106 μg l⁻¹ and 283 μg l⁻¹. Although diesels generate more vapor phase emissions, biodiesels still generate considerable amount of vapor emissions, particularly the emissions from methyl esters and oxygenated chemicals. These two chemical groups are more reactive than alkanes and aromatics. Therefore, speciation and quantification of biodiesel vapor phases are important.     

Sampling and Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds Evolved During Thermal Processing of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Composite Resins

Abstract

The evaluation of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during processing of resins is of interest to resin manufacturers and resin processors. An accurate estimate of the VOCs emitted from resin processing has been difficult due to the wide variation in processing facilities. This study was designed to estimate the emissions in terms of mass of emitted VOC per mass of resin processed.

A collection and analysis method was developed and validated for the determination of VOCs present in the emissions of thermally processed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resins. Four composite resins were blended from automotive, general molding, pipe, and refrigeration grade ABS resins obtained from the manufacturers. Emission samples were collected in evacuated 6-L Summa canisters and then analyzed using gas chromatography/flame ionization detection/mass selective detection (GC/FID/MSD). Levels were determined for nine target analytes detected in canister samples, and for total VOCs detected by an inline GC/FID. The emissions evolved from the extrusion of each composite resin were expressed in terms of mass of VOCs per mass of processed resin. Styrene was the principal volatile emission from all the composite resins. VOCs analyzed from the pipe resin sample contained the highest level of styrene at 402 μg/g. An additional collection and detection method was used to determine the presence of aerosols in the emissions. This method involved collecting particulates on glass fiber filters, extracting them with solvents, and analyzing them using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). No significant levels of any of the target analytes were detected on the filters.     

Ammonia emissions from the composting of different organic wastes. Dependency on process temperature

Ammonia emissions were quantified for the laboratory-scale composting of three typical organic wastes with medium nitrogen content: organic fraction of municipal solid wastes, raw sludge and anaerobically digested sludge; and the composting of two wastes with high nitrogen content: animal by-products from slaughterhouses and partially hydrolysed hair from the leather industry. All the wastes were mixed with the proper amount of bulking agent. Ammonia emitted in the composting of the five wastes investigated revealed a strong dependence on temperature, with a distinct pattern found in ammonia emissions for each waste in the thermophilic first stage of composting (exponential increase of ammonia emitted when increasing temperature) than that of the mesophilic final stage (linear increase of ammonia emissions when increasing temperature). As composting needs high temperatures to ensure the sanitisation of compost and ammonia emissions are one of the main environmental impacts associated to composting and responsible for obtaining compost with a low agronomical quality, it is proposed that sanitisation is conducted after the first stage in large-scale composting facilities by a proper temperature control. CAPSULE: Ammonia emission pattern and correlation with process temperature are presented for the composting process of different organic wastes.     

Indoor Emissions from Conversion Varnishes

ABSTRACT

Conversion varnishes are two-component, acid-catalyzed varnishes that are commonly used to finish cabinets. They are valued for their water and stain resistance, as well as their appearance. They have been found, however, to contribute to indoor emissions of organic compounds. For this project, three commercially available conversion varnish systems were selected. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 24 analysis was performed to determine total volatile content, and a sodium sulfite titration method was used to determine uncombined (free) formaldehyde content of the varnish components. The resin component was also analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) (EPA Method 311 with an MS detector) to identify individual organic compounds. Dynamic small chamber tests were then performed to identify and quantify emissions following application to coupons of typical kitchen cabinet wood substrates, during both curing and aging. Because conversion varnishes cure by chemical reaction, the compounds emitted during curing and aging are not necessarily the same as those in the formulation. Results of small chamber tests showed that the amount of formaldehyde emitted from these coatings was 2.3–8.1 times the amount of free formaldehyde applied in the coatings. A long-term test showed a formaldehyde emission rate of 0.17 mg/m²/hr after 115 days.     

Demonstration of In Situ Steam and Hot-Air Stripping Technology

Between September 5 and October 5,1989 a field demonstration of the NovaTerra, Inc. Detoxifier [formerly called Toxic Treatment (USA)] was performed by the U.S. EPA under the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program. The NovaTerra Detoxifier process injects steam and hot air directly into the ground to vaporize and strip volatile and semivolatile organics. Two augers loosen and homogenize the soil during the stripping process. The steam, hot air and organics are carried to the soil surface and collected for treatment.

The field demonstration was performed at the GATX Annex Terminal located at the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, California. Approximately 17 percent of the 5.2 acre site is contaminated with chlorinated solvents, plasticizers, coatings, adhesives and paint additives, and other miscellaneous chemicals from aboveground storage tanks and transfer operations to railroad cars.

The objectives of this SITE Demonstration were to determine the in situ soil concentrations before and after treatment, quantify process stream emissions (fugitive and sidestreams), determine process operating conditions, and determine if vertical migration of contaminants is occurring. Results from the SITE demonstration showed that a substantial amount of the VOCs were removed, about half the SVOCs were removed, there was very little fugitive air emissions from the operation, and what little downward migration occured (if any) was inconsequential.     

Releases and transfers from petroleum and chemical manufacturing industries in Korea

Considerable effort and expense have been devoted to the estimation and acquisition of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. To reduce the effort required and the number of reporting mistakes in the calculation of emissions, we developed an estimation program named TRIWIN after standardization of emission estimation techniques. The program was distributed to 6 petroleum and 150 chemical manufacturing companies, and emission data for 62 chemicals were collected and analyzed. From the TRIWIN-based results obtained, it was found that more than 90% of releases from petroleum and chemical manufacturing industries in Korea were emitted to atmosphere in 1999. Volatile organic compounds are major aerial contaminants and are released primarily via fugitive emission sources such as valves, pumps, or flanges. In addition, the effect of the application of point-source management was noticeable on the emission quantities. Consequently, TRIWIN not only helped reporters to implement TRI easily and accurately, but also identified emission sources, major pollutants in facilities, and provided a standard method of assessing the environmental impact of facilities.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of atmospheric antimony emission inventories from coal combustion in China

A multiple-year inventory of atmospheric antimony (Sb) emissions from coal combustion in China for the period of 1980-2007 has been calculated for the first time. Specifically, the emission inventories of Sb from 30 provinces and 4 economic sectors (thermal power, industry, residential use, and others) are evaluated and analyzed in detail. It shows that the total Sb emissions released from coal combustion in China have increased from 133.19 t in 1980 to 546.67 t in 2007, at an annually average growth rate of 5.4%. The antimony emissions are largely emitted by industrial sector and thermal power generation sector, contributing 53.6% and 26.9% of the totals, respectively. At provincial level, the distribution of Sb emissions shows significant variation. Between 2005 and 2007, provinces always rank at the top five largest Sb emissions are: Guizhou, Hunan, Hebei, Shandong, and Anhui.     

Validation of a flow-through sampler for pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in air

At locations without access to the electrical grid, a flow-through sampler (FTS) collects large volumes of air for the analysis of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). To test its performance under field conditions, an FTS and a traditional pumped high volume air sampler, both using polyurethane foam (PUF) as sampling medium, were co-deployed at the campus of the University of Toronto Scarborough from August 2006 to June 2007. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and various pesticides were quantified in the samples taken by both samplers to test the FTS's applicability to relatively non-volatile and slightly polar SVOCs. Air concentrations in samples taken with the FTS over five 2-week periods compare favourably with the average of the concentrations in several 24-h active high volume samples taken during the same period. In particular, time trends, temperature dependence relationships, and isomer ratios show a reasonable agreement between the two sampling techniques. An empirical linear solvation energy relationship for predicting the apparent theoretical plate number of the PUF assembly used in the FTS illustrates the effect of chemical properties, as well as temperature and wind speed, on sampling efficiency. In the absence of electrical power, the FTS can collect SVOCs from large air volumes as reliably and quantitatively as traditional HiVol samplers, although without separating gas and particle phase.     

A study on emission of phthalate esters from plastic materials using a passive flux sampler

Phthalate esters are used as plasticizer in many plastics, and several studies have shown their toxicity. Phthalate esters are gradually emitted over time, and so it is conceivable that they pose a significant health risk. This study aims to investigate the temperature dependence of the emissions of various phthalate esters and to estimate the health risks of these emissions at various temperatures. A passive-type sampler was developed to measure the flux of phthalate esters from the surface of plastic materials. With this sampler, we examined three widely used plastic materials: synthetic leather, wallpaper and vinyl flooring. The observed maximum emissions of diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from these materials at 20°C were 0.89, 0.77, and 14 μg m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. Emissions at 80°C were 2.8, 4.5×10², and 1.5×10³ μg m⁻² h⁻¹, respectively. The results showed this temperature dependence is determined primarily by the type of phthalate ester and less so by the type of material. The estimation from the results of temperature dependence indicated the concentration of DEHP in a vehicle left out in the sunshine during the day can exceed the recommended levels of Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.     

Application of OMI observations to a space-based indicator of NOx and VOC controls on surface ozone formation

We investigated variations in the relative sensitivity of surface ozone formation in summer to precursor species concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) as inferred from the ratio of the tropospheric columns of formaldehyde to nitrogen dioxide (the “Ratio”) from the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). Our modeling study suggests that ozone formation decreases with reductions in VOCs at Ratios <1 and NO_x at Ratios >2; both NO_x and VOC reductions may decrease ozone formation for Ratios between 1 and 2. Using this criteria, the OMI data indicate that ozone formation became: 1. more sensitive to NO_x over most of the United States from 2005 to 2007 because of the substantial decrease in NO_x emissions, primarily from stationary sources, and the concomitant decrease in the tropospheric column of NO₂, and 2. more sensitive to NO_x with increasing temperature, in part because emissions of highly reactive, biogenic isoprene increase with temperature, thus increasing the total VOC reactivity. In cities with relatively low isoprene emissions (e.g., Chicago), the data clearly indicate that ozone formation became more sensitive to NO_x from 2005 to 2007. In cities with relatively high isoprene emissions (e.g., Atlanta), we found that the increase in the Ratio due to decreasing NO_x emissions was not obvious as this signal was convolved with variations in the Ratio associated with the temperature dependence of isoprene emissions and, consequently, the formaldehyde concentration.     

Uncertainties in the current knowledge of some atmospheric trace gases associated with U.S. agriculture: a review

Approximately 80 different crop species are grown in the United States in widely differing geographic areas, climatic and edaphic conditions, and management practices. Although the majority of cultivated acreage in the United States is planted with only about 10 primary crops, uncertainties associated with trace gas emissions arise from: (1) limited data availability, (2) inaccurate estimates because of large temporal and spatial variability in trace gas composition and magnitude of trace gas emissions from agricultural activities, (3) differing characteristics of pollutant emissions from highly dispersed animal feed-lots, and (4) limited understanding of the emissions of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) associated with agriculture. Although emission issues are of concern, so also is atmospheric deposition to cropping systems, including wet and dry nitrogen, minerals, and organic compounds. These can have feedback effects on trace gas emissions. Overall, the many gaps in our understanding of these aspects of agricultural systems deserve serious attention.     

Comparison of vehicle exhaust emissions from modified diesel fuels

Three diesel fuels, one oil sand-derived (OSD) diesel serving as base fuel, one cetane-enhanced base fuel, and one oxygenate [diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DEDM)]-blended base fuel, were tested for their emission characterizations in vehicle exhaust on a light-duty diesel truck that reflects the engine technology of the 1994 North American standard. Both the cetane-enhanced and the oxygenate-blended fuels were able to reduce regulated [CO, particulate matter (PM), total hydrocarbon (THC)] and nonregulated [polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbonyls, and other volatile organic chemicals] emissions, except for nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), compared with the base fuel. Although burning a fuel that contains oxygen could conceivably yield more oxygenated compounds in emissions, the oxygenate-blended diesel fuel resulted in reduced emissions of formaldehyde along with hydrocarbons such as benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and PAHs. Reductions in nitro-PAH emissions have been observed in both the cetane-enhanced and oxygenated fuels. This further demonstrates the benefits of using a cetane enhancer and the oxygenated fuel component.     

Experimental investigation of regulated and unregulated emissions from a diesel engine fueled with Euro V diesel fuel and fumigation methanol

Experiments were conducted on a four-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine with part of the engine load taken up by fumigation methanol injected into the air intake of each cylinder to investigate the regulated and unregulated gaseous emissions and particulate emission of the engine under five engine loads at an engine speed of 1920 rev min^?1. The fumigation methanol was injected to top up 10%, 20% and 30% of the engine load under different engine operating conditions.The experimental results show that at low engine loads, the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) decreases with increase in fumigation methanol; but at high engine loads, the BTE is not significantly affected by fumigation methanol. The fumigation methanol results in significant increase in hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions, but decrease in nitrogen oxides (NO_x). For the unregulated gaseous emissions, unburned methanol, formaldehyde and BTX (benzene, toluene and xylene) emissions increase but ethyne, ethene and 1,3-butadiene emissions decrease. Particulate mass and number concentrations also decrease with increase in fumigation methanol. A diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is found to reduce significantly most of the pollutants, including the air toxics, when the exhaust gas temperature is sufficiently high.     

Levoglucosan,a tracer for cellulose in biomass burning and atmospheric particles

The major organic components of smoke particles from biomass burning are monosaccharide derivatives from the breakdown of cellulose, accompanied by generally lesser amounts of straight-chain, aliphatic and oxygenated compounds and terpenoids from vegetation waxes, resins/gums, and other biopolymers. Levoglucosan and the related degradation products from cellulose can be utilized as specific and general indicator compounds for the presence of emissions from biomass burning in samples of atmospheric fine particulate matter. This enables the potential tracking of such emissions on a global basis. There are other compounds (e.g. amyrones, friedelin, dehydroabietic acid, and thermal derivatives from terpenoids and from lignin—syringaldehyde, vanillin, syringic acid, vanillic acid), which are additional key indicators in smoke from burning of biomass specific to the type of biomass fuel. The monosaccharide derivatives (e.g. levoglucosan) are proposed as specific indicators for cellulose in biomass burning emissions. Levoglucosan is emitted at such high concentrations that it can be detected at considerable distances from the original combustion source.     

Thermogravimetric kinetic analysis and pollutant evolution during the pyrolysis and combustion of mobile phone case

The increase in electronic waste, including cellular telephones, worldwide is a worrying reality. For this reason, urgent action on the management of these wastes is necessary within a framework that respects the environment and human health. Mobile phone components can be physically segregated through grinding at the dismantling sites, in order to reuse or reprocess (via chemical or physical recycling) the recovered plastics and valuable metals. A kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of a mobile phone case has been carried out under different conditions by thermogravimetry. Several experiments were performed in a nitrogen atmosphere (pyrolysis runs) and also in an oxidative atmosphere with two different oxygen concentrations (10% and 20% oxygen in nitrogen). Dynamic runs and dynamic+isothermal runs have been carried out to obtain much decomposition data under different operating conditions. Moreover some TG-MS runs were performed in order to better understand the thermal decomposition of a mobile phone case and identify some compounds emitted during the controlled heating of this material. A scheme of two independent reactions for pseudocomponents has been proposed for the pyrolysis process. For the combustion runs, the scheme proposed includes two pyrolytic reactions competing with other two reactions with formation of an intermediate residue, and finally the reaction of oxidation/burning of the intermediate residue. Furthermore, pyrolysis and combustion runs at 500 °C in a horizontal laboratory furnace were carried out. More than 50 compounds, including carbon oxides, light hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified and quantified. The main semivolatile compounds detected were phenol and styrene. Furthermore, polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like PCBs produced were analyzed. In the combustion run, PCDDs were obtained in higher amounts than PCDFs and HxCDD was the most emitted homologue.     

Development of a database for chemical mechanism assignments for volatile organic emissions

The development of a database for making model species assignments when preparing total organic gas (TOG) emissions input for atmospheric models is described. This database currently has assignments of model species for 12 different gas-phase chemical mechanisms for over 1700 chemical compounds and covers over 3000 chemical categories used in five different anthropogenic TOG profile databases or output by two different biogenic emissions models. This involved developing a unified chemical classification system, assigning compounds to mixtures, assigning model species for the mechanisms to the compounds, and making assignments for unknown, unassigned, and nonvolatile mass. The comprehensiveness of the assignments, the contributions of various types of speciation categories to current profile and total emissions data, inconsistencies with existing undocumented model species assignments, and remaining speciation issues and areas of needed work are also discussed. The use of the system to prepare input for SMOKE, the Speciation Tool, and for biogenic models is described in the supplementary materials. The database, associated programs and files, and a users manual are available online at http://www.cert.ucr.edu/~carter/emitdb.

Implications: Assigning air quality model species to the hundreds of emitted chemicals is a necessary link between emissions data and modeling effects of emissions on air quality. This is not easy and makes it difficult to implement new and more chemically detailed mechanisms in models. If done incorrectly, it is similar to errors in emissions speciation or the chemical mechanism used. Nevertheless, making such assignments is often an afterthought in chemical mechanism development and emissions processing, and existing assignments are usually undocumented and have errors and inconsistencies. This work is designed to address some of these problems.     

Uncertainties in the Current Knowledge of Some Atmospheric Trace Gases Associated with U.S. Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

Approximately 80 different crop species are grown in the United States in widely differing geographic areas, climatic and edaphic conditions, and management practices. Although the majority of cultivated acreage in the United States is planted with only about 10 primary crops, uncertainties associated with trace gas emissions arise from: (1) limited data availability, (2) inaccurate estimates because of large temporal and spatial variability in trace gas composition and magnitude of trace gas emissions from agricultural activities, (3) differing characteristics of pollutant emissions from highly dispersed animal feed-lots, and (4) limited understanding of the emissions of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) associated with agriculture. Although emission issues are of concern, so also is atmospheric deposition to cropping systems, including wet and dry nitrogen, minerals, and organic compounds. These can have feedback effects on trace gas emissions. Overall, the many gaps in our understanding of these aspects of agricultural systems deserve serious attention.     

Formaldehyde,Melhanol and Hydrocarbon Emissions from Methanol-fueled Cars

Exhaust and evaporative emissions tests were conducted on several methanol- and gasoline-fueled vehicles. Separate samples for chromatographlc analysis of formaldehyde, methanol, and Individual hydrocarbons were collected in each of the three phases of the driving cycle and in each of the two portions of the evaporative emissions test. One vehicle, equipped with an experimental variable-fuel engine, was tested using methanol/gasoline fuel mixtures of 100, 85, 50,15, and 0 percent methanol. Combustion-generated hydrocarbons were lowest using methanol fuel, and increased several-fold as the gasoline fraction was increased. Gasoline components In the exhaust Increased from zero as the gasoline fraction of the fuel was Increased. On the other hand, formaldehyde emissions were several times higher using methanol fuel than they were using gasoline. A dedicated methanol car and the variable-fuel car gave similar emissions patterns when they both were tested using methanol fuel. The organic-carbon composition of the exhaust was 85-90 percent methanol, 5-7 percent formaldehyde, and 3-9 percent hydrocarbons. Several cars that were tested using gasoline emitted similar distributions of hydrocarbons, even through the vehicles represented a broad range of current and developmental engine families and emissions control systems. These vehicles continue the trend of the past twenty years toward less photochemically reactive exhaust, with higher percentages of methane and total alkanes, and correspondingly lower percentages of oleflns and aromatlcs.