Lead concentrations in U.K. urban air

Abstract

Atmospheric concentrations of lead have been measured at two sites in each of two cities in the U.K. (London and Manchester). The results have been used to evaluate the effect of the increasing use of unleaded petrol (gasoline) in motor vehicles. Atmospheric concentrations of lead measured in London were found to be correlated to the U.K. lead in petrol consumption figures. However, a similar correlation was not evident for Manchester indicating the importance of other sources of atmospheric lead. Lead concentrations were correlated between the two cities and a large variation in measured levels illustrates the importance of meteorological effects in determining atmospheric concentration.