Benzene toluene and xylene in exhaust from motorcycles

Abstract

In this study, Benzene, Toluene and Xylene concentrations from gasoline and exhaust emission were measured from 44 in-use motorcycles. The motorcycle samples were considered both engine type (2 and 4-stroke) and engine age (old, moderate and new). The ages of engine were determined as follow: new motorcycles were less than 5 years old. Moderate age motorcycles were in range of 5-10 years old and old motorcycles were more than 10 years old. Tedlar bag was used to collect the sample of exhaust emission at idle condition. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID). The study revealed that the 2-stroke motorcycle emitted hydrocarbon (Benzene, Toluene and Xylene) about 3-4 times larger than that of 4-stroke motorcycle. The average concentrations of Benzene, Toluene and Xylene from the old 2-stroke motorcycle were found to be 116.15, 261.73 and 39.21 ppm, respectively. While new 4-stroke motorcycle were foundto be 11.74, 29.00 and 7.59 ppm, respectively. These result also indicated that there was a significant increase in air pollutant emissions with engine age at significant level (alpha) 0.05.