TOXIC GASES IN HEAVY DUTY DIESEL TRUCK CABS

An experimental program was conducted to measure the cab concentrations of several toxic gases throughout a significant cross section of conditions and vehicles comprising heavy duty diesel truck population and use. Ambient and in-cab concentrations were continuously measured for carbon monoxide, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. Supplemental air bag samples were analyzed for sulfur oxides and total hydrocarbons. These data were used to assess the potential for performance and health degradation due to vehicle self-contamination. A tracer gas, SF6, was used to delineate the relative importance of various emission source locations and cab entrance pathways. The tracer tests showed that cab floor openings serve as a principal pathway for engine compartment gas transmission into the cab. A number of tractors were surveyed by idling and/or road tests. Primary findings included establishing a statistical correlation between vehicle-induced elevated in-cab concentrations of specific gases and several testing parameters including: condition of windows, type of cab configuration and the presence of exhaust leaks and underside cab openings. Many vehicles were found to have in-cab concentrations of greater than 0.5 ppm NO2 which is considered by NIOSH to be a significant occupational exposure concentration.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored in part by Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety, Washington, D.C.
• Corporate Authors:

  Science Applications, Incorporated

  61 Continental Boulevard
  El Segundo, CA  United States  90245

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ziskind, R
  • Carlin, T
  • Axelrod, M
  • Allen, R W
  • Schwartz, S H
• Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 111 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Cabs (Vehicle compartments); Carbon dioxide; Carbon monoxide; Concentration (Chemistry); Diesel fuels; Diesel trucks; Exhaust gases; Heavy vehicles; Hydrocarbons; Nitric oxide; Nitrogen dioxide; Nitrogen oxides; Ozone; Pollutants; Public health; Sampling; Sulfur oxides; Toxicity; Truck tractors; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Sources
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00169778
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-77-139 Final Rpt., SAI-260-78-52
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-9186
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM