Identification of Methyl Bromide in Urban Air

Abstract

The presence of methyl bromide at sub-part-per-billion concentration levels in urban air is reported. The major source of methyl bromide in urban areas is believed to be automobile exhaust, rather than of biogenic or agriculturally related origins. Engines operating on “leaded” gasoline contribute a much larger amount of methyl bromide to urban atmospheres than do engines with catalytic converters burning “on-leaded” fuel.