Significance of highly toxic secondary emissions from on-road vehicles

CHED 1147

Jerome Stihle, j.stihle@escom.fr1, Marnie Burgoyne, burgoymr@whitman.edu1, Robyn Latimer, rllatimer@hotmail.com1, Darcy Wanger, darcy.wanger@gmail.com2, Alexandre Webster, awebster@lifesci.ucsb.edu1, John A. Moss, j.moss@oak-crest.org1, Gregory A. Poskrebyshev, g.poskrebyshev@oak-crest.org1, and Marc M. Baum, m.baum@oak-crest.org1. (1) OAK Crest Institute of Science, 2275 E.Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, (2) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Dr. East, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Several studies have investigated the concentration of aldehydes and ketones in vehicle exhaust emitted by on-road motor vehicles. However, the measured concentrations, and hence emission rates, may not be realistic if those carbonyl compounds react with other exhaust components. Our hypothesis is that chemically-reduced nitrogen compounds (RNCs) such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrazine, methylhydrazine, and hydroxylamine are formed as secondary pollutants on the surface of the catalytic converter. These compounds, if produced, have the potential of reacting with co-emitted carbonyl compounds to form cyanohydrins, azines, hydrazones, and oximes, respectively. We currently are developing laboratory methods to sample and analyze these compounds from ambient as well as from vehicle exhaust. Field studies will ensue in the coming months. The concomitant measurement of CO will make the link between ambient concentrations of these compounds and vehicle-based emissions. Results from these studies will be presented and discussed.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007