Traffic pollution inventories and modeling in metropolitan Dhaka, Bangladesh

Several monitoring and surveys on ambient concentration of oxides of nitrog en (NOx), lead (Pb), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) and blac k smoke have been carried out by the author, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commi ssion (BAEC), Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Eng ineering and Technology (BUET), and Department of Environment (DOE), Bangla desh Govern; ment at different street intersections of metropolitan Dhaka. In addition, all traffic pollutant concentrations at 82 street intersection s were estimated using the Gaussian Plume Model. The surveys and the analys is were undertaken primarily to provide an independent check on the polluta nt concentration and to determine if there is any violation of the internat ional compliance; The study covers, for the first time in its type, wide ar eas of road intersections and surveyed concentration of oxides of nitrogen. It has been observed that the concentration of NOx, black smoke, lead, and PM violate both the national and international standards in metropolitan D haka. In addition, the concentration of CO is found relatively higher durin g the noon buildups. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.