Characterization of Metals Emitted from Motor Vehicles

To answer important questions about possible sources of metal exposure from both tailpipe and non-tailpipe emissions, Dr. James Schauer and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin - Madison collected and characterized metals in fine and coarse particles from a variety of sources, including tailpipe emissions, dust from brake and tire wear, and roadway dust. In addition, total roadway emissions were measured in two roadway tunnels, metals were characterized in ambient air from three urban sites, and the investigators made an initial attempt at testing the bioavailability of the metals in a synthetic lung fluid. The investigators used sensitive analytical techniques to measure a variety of elements and developed profiles for each source.