Interference of animal source ammonia with exposure chamber atmospheres containing acid particulate from automobile exhaust.

A study was designed to test the effect of animal source ammonia on some component concentrations in test atmospheres produced to measure the health effects of pollutants in the exhaust emissions of gasoline-powered engines equipped with oxidative catalyst converters. The dominantly acidic nature of the exhaust particulate phase required an evaluation of test chamber concentrations of the alkaline components contributed by the test animals. The animal population in the chamber was critical in maintaining the essential integrity of the pollutant atmosphere. Measures to minimize the production of the animal-produced interferent(s) were helpful in attenuating the interfering effect.