Air pollutants in road tunnels

Concentrations of specific vehicle-emitted volatile hydrocarbons, including 1,3-butadiene and benzene, were determined in two urban road tunnels in Göteborg, Sweden. Comparisons were made with other polluted environments. Samples were taken on adsorbent cartridges and the hydrocarbons were analyzed by gas chromatography. The concentrations were several times higher in the tunnels than in streets with similar traffic. The exposure levels of drivers and passengers inside cars differ similarly. The resulting dangers for asthmatic children and adults, and the increased genotoxic hazards for all motorists in tunnels are of particular concern. It is concluded that long road tunnels with large numbers of cars must be questioned with regard to health hazards. Motorists have reason to avoid tunnel driving and to oppose new road tunnels. Nevertheless, several billion-dollar investments in new tunnels are planned in Scandianvia and Europe.