Asphalt Industry Group,APCA and EPA Conduct Environmental Solution Seminars

The levels of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were determined in downtown Caracas in order to have a first approach to the problem related to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in this city. Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela is located 10.30° N and 66.77°E in a valley at an altitude of 996 m above sea level with an average temperature ranging from 18° to 23°C, and two distinctive climatic regimes, a dry and a wet season. The population is approximately 2.5 million with a car density of approximately 1000 vehicles/km² and no industry. The valley is surrounded by mountains, the Avila National Park at the northern edge of the city with peaks of around 2200 m being the most important contribution to the green belt that has been preserved. As far as we know no other studies to determine the levels of BaP have been made in a populated urban area located near the equator.