The concentrations of organic acids (formic, acetic, propionic and oxalic acids) were measured in automobile and incinerator exhaust gases, which are one of major sources of atmospheric organic acids. The mean concentrations of formic, acetic, propionic and oxalic acids in the exhaust gases of gasoline-powered vehicles (seven automobile models) were 59.7, 327, 12.1 and 0.77ppbv (parts per billion by volume), respectively. The organic acid concentrations in exhaust gases from one diesel-powered automobile model and two motorcycle models were higher than those from the gasoline-powered vehicles. The acetic acid concentrations in the exhaust gases from the motorcycles were particularly high at >10ppmv (parts per million by volume). The type of fuel, engine, and purification system of the exhaust gas probably determine the concentrations of organic acids in the exhaust gas. The concentrations of organic acids in exhaust gas from an incinerator at the Higashi-Hiroshima campus of Hiroshima University (Japan) were similar to those in the exhaust gas from gasoline-powered vehicles. The concentration ratios of formic, acetic and oxalic acids in automobile exhaust gas were compared with those of atmospheric organic acids, precipitation, and dew. The organic acid concentration ratios in automobile exhaust gas were more similar to those in dew and the atmosphere than those in precipitation. Based on the organic acid concentrations in the automobile exhaust gases, the annual emission rates from all automobiles in Japan were estimated to 3.0×109, 5.3×109, 4.6×108 and 7.9×107g yr-1 for formic, acetic, propionic and oxalic acids, respectively, The percentage contributions of formic and acetic acids from automobile exhaust gas to the acid concentrations in the atmosphere were estimated to 41% and 18%, respectively, using carbon monoxide as an indicator of automobile exhaust gas.