The concentrations of a number of pollutants were measured at two sites in reading during a summer and a winter period of 1971. One monitoring site was at the kerbside of a heavily trafficked road and the other at a site remote from traffic in order that the contribution of motor vehicles to pollutant levels in an urban area could be observed. Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, lead and smoke concentrations were monitored at both sites; traffic was counted at the kerbside site and climatic conditions were also recorded. The level of pollution at the kerbside was found to be considerably greater than that at site remote from the traffic indicating that traffic can contribute significantly to pollutant levels in urban areas. The relationship between pollutant levels and traffic is discussed. (Author/publisher).
Abstract