Air samples were collected in plastic bags simultaneously at various measuring points in the close range of streets. When examining the various bag materials, Teflon bags showed the smallest deviations in direct analyses and in analyses of up to two hours after the drawing of samples. The following methods were used for the analysis of the air samples collected in the bags: coulometry for CO and SO2, chemiluminescence for NO/NO2, chromotrophic acid for CH2O and flame ionization for hydrocarbons. The various components were measured close to a highway and near streets in residential and business areas. The simultaneously drawn samples showed a marked dependence on traffic frequency, type of built-up area along the streets as well as meteorological conditions. An opinion survey among adjacent residents on annoyance caused by air pollution and noise resulted in distinct differences between the sections with different traffic intensity.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Sources and importance of indoor air pollution].

Indoor air quality affects a person's performance and well-being. This justifies the study of indoor air pollution for the development of comfortable and safe environments. A simultaneous indoor/outdoor sampling programme was carried out at three sites in Zurich. Parameters included CO, NO, NO2, and HCHO.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Air pollution in Switzerland--sources and extent].

The immediate source of air pollution is the fuel consumption that goes on in domestic heating (about 50%), in motor vehicles (about 25%), and in industry (about 25%). Immissions in towns and agglomerations do not only depend on the number and size of these issuing sources but also on the location and meteorological conditions. The average sulphur dioxide content in various towns amounts to 0.03-0.06 ppm in winter and in summer to 0.01-0.03 ppm. In weather conditions with little exchangeability, as is often the case in Zurich, particulate matter and sulphur dioxide concentrations frequently lie above threshold limits applied abroad. In the area of heavy traffic for instance, daily averages of carbon monoxide of up to 20 ppm, and maximum hourly averages of up to 50 ppm are measured--concentrations which lie also considerably above threshold limits. For nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and lead too, concentrations such as are measured in large foreign cities occur. In the future, coordinated time measurements will have to be carried out more frequently in Switzerland--especially in places with strong emitting sources and unfavorable meteorological conditions.

Air Pollution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Man and his environment].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Air Pollution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Burdens due to noise and air pollution in residents of areas near streets with heavy traffic].

The residents of different streets with varying traffic density and building density were questioned about annoyance due to traffic noise and air pollution. Frequency and extent of annoyance felt, effects of immissions on such living aspects as recreation, or communication, and also the reactions to the disturbance felt (such as closing windows and taking sleeping pills) were investigated. Noise levels as well as particulate matter and gaseous air pollutant concentrations were measured along the streets under investigation. The evaluation of 1300 questionaires showed that reactions to noise were different in different quarters although noise levels were the same. In general, about 40% of residents were heavily disturbed during daytime when the noise level Leq was around 65 dB(A); while for the same noise level at night about 55% reported to be heavily disturbed. Strong correlations were also obtained between annoyance due to noise and that due to air pollution. The results show that annoyance felt is dependent not only on the measured noise levels and/or air pollution concentrations, but that there do exist interactions between the residential quarters and annoyance. These interactions should be considered while fixing the limits and standards.

Air Pollution↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Measure of lead exposure in a group of young girls].

In January--February 1976 blood analyses were performed for two groups (rural and urban) of young girls aged 11--16 years. The following parameters were measured: PbB, ALAD, FEP, haemoglobin and hematocrit. Results indicate only low blood lead levels (PbB less than or equal to 20 microgram/100 ml: ALAD by European method greater than or equal to 33 U/1. A small but statistically significant difference was observed in case of rural/urban ALAD values.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Suspense-dust-, lead- and benzpyrene emissions in the city of Zurich].

Levels of particulate matter, lead and benzo(a)pyrene were measured during 1971--1976 at different monitoring stations in Zurich. Annual averages in city proper ranged between 90 and 180 microgram/m3 for particulate matter, 2 and 3 microgram/m3 for lead and between 6 and 7 ng/m3 for benzo(a)pyrene. Corresponding values for the suburbs as well as for the village of Netstal were about 1/3 to 1/2. Winter levels were higher than the summer ones at all the sites. These differences were more obvious in case of calms. Ambient concentrations of particulate matter and lead measured in the city center were similar to those measured in german cities and were in the same range as air quality standards. Primary attention should be paid to the reduction of emissions, as surveillance of space heating and incineration equipment, and the reduction of lead in fossil fuels.

Air Pollution↗