Evidence for chamber-dependent radical sources: Impact on kinetic computer models for air pollution

A series of NO_x–air irradiations, with trace amounts of propane and propene present to monitor OH radical concentrations, have been carried out in a 5800-L evacuable environmental chamber to investigate radical levels and sources during such irradiations. The data obtained show conclusively that unknown radical sources are present, and that photolysis of initial nitrous acid can be, at best, only a minor source of radicals after ～30–60 min of irradiation.