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Rahman M, Zhao M, Islam MS, Dong K, Saha SC. Numerical study of nano and micro pollutant particle transport and deposition in realistic human lung airways. POWDER TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2022.117364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Impacts of In-Cabin Exposure to Size-Fractionated Particulate Matters and Carbon Monoxide on Changes in Heart Rate Variability for Healthy Public Transit Commuters. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10070409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the cardiovascular impact of traffic-related pollutant exposure on healthy young adults, the research team has collected the primary data of in-cabin exposure to air pollutants and heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty young healthy college students were recruited in Taipei metropolitan area. In addition to electrocardiogram, personal exposure to air pollutants, i.e., particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO), and weather conditions, including temperature and relative humidity (RH), on campus, bus, and mass rapid transit were monitored continuously. The following HRV parameters were evaluated using generalized additive mixed model to adjust for personal and meteorological variables: heart rate (HR), the square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (r-MSSD), the standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN), the percentage of successive NN interval differences greater than 50 ms (pNN50), low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF), total power (TP), and LF/HF. They were assessed to find out the association between in-cabin exposure and HRV parameters. Compared with the HRV parameters measured on campus, the percent changes in r-MSSD, SDNN, pNN50+1, LF, HF, and TP decreased when the participants were in public transits. After adjusting for all locations, 5 min moving averages of PM2.5–10 and PM1 were significantly associated with the increase in the percent changes in HR and SDNN. Additionally, 5 min moving averages of PM2.5–10 exposure were significantly associated with the decrease in the percent change in HF, while it was significantly associated with the increase of the percent change in LF/HF. The reduction of the percent change in HR was also found to be significantly associated with 5 min CO moving averages. To conclude, current analyses have shown that size-fractionated PMs and CO exposure in public transits might lead to significant changes of HRV parameters for healthy young adults.
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Chaney RA, Sloan CD, Cooper VC, Robinson DR, Hendrickson NR, McCord TA, Johnston JD. Personal exposure to fine particulate air pollution while commuting: An examination of six transport modes on an urban arterial roadway. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188053. [PMID: 29121096 PMCID: PMC5679559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Traffic-related air pollution in urban areas contributes significantly to commuters’ daily PM2.5 exposures, but varies widely depending on mode of commuting. To date, studies show conflicting results for PM2.5 exposures based on mode of commuting, and few studies compare multiple modes of transportation simultaneously along a common route, making inter-modal comparisons difficult. In this study, we examined breathing zone PM2.5 exposures for six different modes of commuting (bicycle, walking, driving with windows open and closed, bus, and light-rail train) simultaneously on a single 2.7 km (1.68 mile) arterial urban route in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) during peak “rush hour” times. Using previously published minute ventilation rates, we estimated the inhaled dose and exposure rate for each mode of commuting. Mean PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 5.20 μg/m3 for driving with windows closed to 15.21 μg/m3 for driving with windows open. The estimated inhaled doses over the 2.7 km route were 6.83 μg for walking, 2.78 μg for cycling, 1.28 μg for light-rail train, 1.24 μg for driving with windows open, 1.23 μg for bus, and 0.32 μg for driving with windows closed. Similarly, the exposure rates were highest for cycling (18.0 μg/hr) and walking (16.8 μg/hr), and lowest for driving with windows closed (3.7 μg/hr). Our findings support previous studies showing that active commuters receive a greater PM2.5 dose and have higher rates of exposure than commuters using automobiles or public transportation. Our findings also support previous studies showing that driving with windows closed is protective against traffic-related PM2.5 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Chaney
- Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Chantel D. Sloan
- Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Victoria C. Cooper
- Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Daniel R. Robinson
- Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Nathan R. Hendrickson
- Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Tyler A. McCord
- Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - James D. Johnston
- Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, Provo, Utah, United States of America
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Manigrasso M, Natale C, Vitali M, Protano C, Avino P. Pedestrians in Traffic Environments: Ultrafine Particle Respiratory Doses. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:E288. [PMID: 28282961 PMCID: PMC5369124 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Particulate matter has recently received more attention than other pollutants. PM10 and PM2.5 have been primarily monitored, whereas scientists are focusing their studies on finer granulometric sizes due both to their high number concentration and their high penetration efficiency into the respiratory system. The purpose of this study is to investigate the population exposure to UltraFine Particles (UFP, submicrons in general) in outdoor environments. The particle number doses deposited into the respiratory system have been compared between healthy individuals and persons affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Measurements were performed by means of Dust Track and Nanoscan analyzers. Forty minute walking trails through areas with different traffic densities in downtown Rome have been considered. Furthermore, particle respiratory doses have been estimated for persons waiting at a bus stop, near a traffic light, or along a high-traffic road, as currently occurs in a big city. Large differences have been observed between workdays and weekdays: on workdays, UFP number concentrations are much higher due to the strong contribution of vehicular exhausts. COPD-affected individuals receive greater doses than healthy individuals due to their higher respiratory rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Manigrasso
- Department of Technological Innovations, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, Research Area, via Roberto Ferruzzi 38/40, I-00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Claudio Natale
- Department of Technological Innovations, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, Research Area, via Roberto Ferruzzi 38/40, I-00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Matteo Vitali
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Carmela Protano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Pasquale Avino
- Department of Technological Innovations, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, Research Area, via Roberto Ferruzzi 38/40, I-00143 Rome, Italy.
- Department of Agriculture, Environment and Food, University of Molise, via de Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy.
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Romagnoli P, Balducci C, Cecinato A, L'Episcopo N, Gariazzo C, Gatto MP, Gordiani A, Gherardi M. Fine particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vehicles in Rome, Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:3493-3505. [PMID: 27878483 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-8098-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Urban commuters are exposed to elevated levels of air pollutants, especially in heavily polluted areas and traffic congested roads. In order to assess the contribution of commuting to citizens' exposure, measurements of fine particulate (PM2.5) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were carried out in cars, busses, and metro trains, within the LIFE+ EXPAH Project. Monitoring campaigns were performed in Rome, Italy, from April 2011 to August 2012. Inside the busses, the concentration of total PAHs ranged from 2.7 to 6.6 ng/m3 during the winter and from 0.34 to 1.51 ng/m3 in the summer. In cars, internal concentrations were in the range 2.2-7.3 and 0.46-0.82 ng/m3, respectively, in the 2-year time. Analogous differences between seasons were observed examining the benzo[a]pyrene-equivalent carcinogenicity. In the metro trains, total PAHs ranged from 1.19 to 2.35 ng/m3 and PM2.5 ranged from 17 to 31 μg/m3. The PM2.5 concentration in all transport modes ranged from 10 to 160 μg/m3 during the cold season and 15-48 μg/m3 during the warm time. The average inside-to-outside ratio (R I/O) was found to exceed 1.0 for PM2.5 only in busses, probably due to dust re-suspension caused by crowding and passenger activity. The molecular PAH signature suggests that vehicle emissions and biomass combustion were the major sources of commuters' exposure to these toxicants in Rome. According to linear regression analysis, the PAH concentrations inside the vehicles were linked to those detected outside. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the in-vehicle locations and the urban pollution network stations, with higher PAH values detected, on the average, in these latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Romagnoli
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29.3, Monterotondo, P.O. Box 10, 00015, Rome, Italy.
| | - Catia Balducci
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29.3, Monterotondo, P.O. Box 10, 00015, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Cecinato
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29.3, Monterotondo, P.O. Box 10, 00015, Rome, Italy
| | - Nunziata L'Episcopo
- Department of Occupational Hygiene, INAIL, Via F. Candida, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Gariazzo
- Department of Occupational Hygiene, INAIL, Via F. Candida, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Gatto
- Department of Occupational Hygiene, INAIL, Via F. Candida, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Gordiani
- Department of Occupational Hygiene, INAIL, Via F. Candida, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Gherardi
- Department of Occupational Hygiene, INAIL, Via F. Candida, Monte Porzio Catone, 00040, Rome, Italy
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Moreno T, Reche C, Rivas I, Cruz Minguillón M, Martins V, Vargas C, Buonanno G, Parga J, Pandolfi M, Brines M, Ealo M, Sofia Fonseca A, Amato F, Sosa G, Capdevila M, de Miguel E, Querol X, Gibbons W. Urban air quality comparison for bus, tram, subway and pedestrian commutes in Barcelona. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 142:495-510. [PMID: 26277386 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Access to detailed comparisons in air quality variations encountered when commuting through a city offers the urban traveller more informed choice on how to minimise personal exposure to inhalable pollutants. In this study we report on an experiment designed to compare atmospheric contaminants inhaled during bus, subway train, tram and walking journeys through the city of Barcelona. Average number concentrations of particles 10-300 nm in size, N, are lowest in the commute using subway trains (N<2.5×10(4) part. cm(-3)), higher during tram travel and suburban walking (2.5×10(4) cm(-3)<N<5.0×10(4) cm(-3)), and highest in diesel bus or walking in the city centre (N>5.0×10(4) cm(-3)), with extreme transient peaks at busy traffic crossings commonly exceeding 1.0×10(5) cm(-3) and accompanied by peaks in Black Carbon and CO. Subway particles are coarser (mode 90 nm) than in buses, trams or outdoors (<70 nm), and concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Black Carbon are lower in the tram when compared to both bus and subway. CO2 levels in public transport reflect passenger numbers, more than tripling from outdoor levels to >1200 ppm in crowded buses and trains. There are also striking differences in inhalable particle chemistry depending on the route chosen, ranging from aluminosiliceous at roadsides and near pavement works, ferruginous with enhanced Mn, Co, Zn, Sr and Ba in the subway environment, and higher levels of Sb and Cu inside the bus. We graphically display such chemical variations using a ternary diagram to emphasise how "air quality" in the city involves a consideration of both physical and chemical parameters, and is not simply a question of measuring particle number or mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Moreno
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Cristina Reche
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ioar Rivas
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Cruz Minguillón
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vânia Martins
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Concepción Vargas
- DICeM-University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino, FR, Italy
| | - Giorgio Buonanno
- DICeM-University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino, FR, Italy; International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Jesus Parga
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Pandolfi
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariola Brines
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Ealo
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Sofia Fonseca
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fulvio Amato
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Garay Sosa
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Capdevila
- Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona, Santa Eulalia, Av. del Metro s/n, 08902 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona Spain
| | - Eladio de Miguel
- Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona, Santa Eulalia, Av. del Metro s/n, 08902 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona Spain
| | - Xavier Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Adar SD, D'Souza J, Sheppard L, Kaufman JD, Hallstrand TS, Davey ME, Sullivan JR, Jahnke J, Koenig J, Larson TV, Liu LJS. Adopting Clean Fuels and Technologies on School Buses. Pollution and Health Impacts in Children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015; 191:1413-21. [PMID: 25867003 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201410-1924oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE More than 25 million American children breathe polluted air on diesel school buses. Emission reduction policies exist, but the health impacts to individual children have not been evaluated. METHODS Using a natural experiment, we characterized the exposures and health of 275 school bus riders before, during, and after the adoption of clean technologies and fuels between 2005 and 2009. Air pollution was measured during 597 trips on 188 school buses. Repeated measures of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), lung function (FEV1, FVC), and absenteeism were also collected monthly (1,768 visits). Mixed-effects models longitudinally related the adoption of diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs), closed crankcase ventilation systems (CCVs), ultralow-sulfur diesel (ULSD), or biodiesel with exposures and health. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Fine and ultrafine particle concentrations were 10-50% lower on buses using ULSD, DOCs, and/or CCVs. ULSD adoption was also associated with reduced FeNO (-16% [95% confidence interval (CI), -21 to -10%]), greater changes in FVC and FEV1 (0.02 [95% CI, 0.003 to 0.05] and 0.01 [95% CI, -0.006 to 0.03] L/yr, respectively), and lower absenteeism (-8% [95% CI, -16.0 to -0.7%]), with stronger associations among patients with asthma. DOCs, and to a lesser extent CCVs, also were associated with improved FeNO, FVC growth, and absenteeism, but these findings were primarily restricted to patients with persistent asthma and were often sensitive to control for ULSD. No health benefits were noted for biodiesel. Extrapolating to the U.S. population, changed fuel/technologies likely reduced absenteeism by more than 14 million/yr. CONCLUSIONS National and local diesel policies appear to have reduced children's exposures and improved health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara D Adar
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jennifer D'Souza
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Lianne Sheppard
- 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.,3 Department of Biostatistics
| | - Joel D Kaufman
- 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.,4 Department of Medicine, and.,5 Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Mark E Davey
- 6 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Jordan Jahnke
- 7 Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and
| | - Jane Koenig
- 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
| | - Timothy V Larson
- 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.,8 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - L J Sally Liu
- 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.,6 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
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Liu WT, Ma CM, Liu IJ, Han BC, Chuang HC, Chuang KJ. Effects of commuting mode on air pollution exposure and cardiovascular health among young adults in Taipei, Taiwan. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2015; 218:319-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Hesterberg TW, Long CM, Sax SN, Lapin CA, McClellan RO, Bunn WB, Valberg PA. Particulate matter in new technology diesel exhaust (NTDE) is quantitatively and qualitatively very different from that found in traditional diesel exhaust (TDE). JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2011; 61:894-913. [PMID: 22010375 DOI: 10.1080/10473289.2011.599277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Diesel exhaust (DE) characteristic of pre-1988 engines is classified as a "probable" human carcinogen (Group 2A) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified DE as "likely to be carcinogenic to humans." These classifications were based on the large body of health effect studies conducted on DE over the past 30 or so years. However, increasingly stringent U.S. emissions standards (1988-2010) for particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in diesel exhaust have helped stimulate major technological advances in diesel engine technology and diesel fuel/lubricant composition, resulting in the emergence of what has been termed New Technology Diesel Exhaust, or NTDE. NTDE is defined as DE from post-2006 and older retrofit diesel engines that incorporate a variety of technological advancements, including electronic controls, ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, oxidation catalysts, and wall-flow diesel particulate filters (DPFs). As discussed in a prior review (T. W. Hesterberg et al.; Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 6437-6445), numerous emissions characterization studies have demonstrated marked differences in regulated and unregulated emissions between NTDE and "traditional diesel exhaust" (TDE) from pre-1988 diesel engines. Now there exist even more data demonstrating significant chemical and physical distinctions between the diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) in NTDE versus DEP from pre-2007 diesel technology, and its greater resemblance to particulate emissions from compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline engines. Furthermore, preliminary toxicological data suggest that the changes to the physical and chemical composition of NTDE lead to differences in biological responses between NTDE versus TDE exposure. Ongoing studies are expected to address some of the remaining data gaps in the understanding of possible NTDE health effects, but there is now sufficient evidence to conclude that health effects studies of pre-2007 DE likely have little relevance in assessing the potential health risks of NTDE exposures.
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Zuurbier M, Hoek G, Oldenwening M, Lenters V, Meliefste K, van den Hazel P, Brunekreef B. Commuters' exposure to particulate matter air pollution is affected by mode of transport, fuel type, and route. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2010; 118:783-9. [PMID: 20185385 PMCID: PMC2898854 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0901622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2009] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Commuters are exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants, but little quantitative information is currently available on differences in exposure between different modes of transport, routes, and fuel types. OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to assess differences in commuters' exposure to traffic-related air pollution related to transport mode, route, and fuel type. METHODS We measured particle number counts (PNCs) and concentrations of PM2.5 (particulate matter <or= 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter), PM10, and soot between June 2007 and June 2008 on 47 weekdays, from 0800 to 1000 hours, in diesel and electric buses, gasoline- and diesel-fueled cars, and along two bicycle routes with different traffic intensities in Arnhem, the Netherlands. In addition, each-day measurements were taken at an urban background location. RESULTS We found that median PNC exposures were highest in diesel buses (38,500 particles/cm3) and for cyclists along the high-traffic intensity route (46,600 particles/cm3) and lowest in electric buses (29,200 particles/cm3). Median PM10 exposure was highest from diesel buses (47 microg/m3) and lowest along the high- and low-traffic bicycle routes (39 and 37 microg/m3). The median soot exposure was highest in gasoline-fueled cars (9.0 x 10-5/m), diesel cars (7.9 x 10-5/m), and diesel buses (7.4 x 10-5/m) and lowest along the low-traffic bicycle route (4.9 x 10-5/m). Because the minute ventilation (volume of air per minute) of cyclists, which we estimated from measured heart rates, was twice the minute ventilation of car and bus passengers, we calculated that the inhaled air pollution doses were highest for cyclists. With the exception of PM10, we found that inhaled air pollution doses were lowest for electric bus passengers. CONCLUSIONS Commuters' rush hour exposures were significantly influenced by mode of transport, route, and fuel type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moniek Zuurbier
- Public Health Services Gelderland Midden, Arnhem, the Netherlands.
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Weichenthal S, Dufresne A, Infante-Rivard C, Joseph L. Determinants of ultrafine particle exposures in transportation environments: findings of an 8-month survey conducted in Montréal, Canada. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2008; 18:551-63. [PMID: 18183044 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jes.7500644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
An 8-month sampling campaign was conducted in Montréal, Canada to explore determinants of ultrafine particle (UFP) exposures in transportation environments and to develop models to predict such exposures. Between April and November 2006, UFP (0.02-1 mum) count exposure data were collected for one researcher during 80 morning and evening commutes including a 0.5-km walk, a 3-km bus ride, and a 26-km automobile ride in each direction. Ambient temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and wind speed/direction data were collected for each transit period and the positions of bus and automobile windows were recorded. Mixing heights were also estimated. Morning UFP exposures were significantly greater than those in the evening, with the highest levels observed in the automobile and the lowest while walking. Wind speed and mixing height were highly correlated, and as a result only wind speed was considered in multivariable models owing to the accessibility of quantitative hourly monitoring data. In these models, each 10 degrees C increase in morning temperature was associated with decreases of 14,560/cm(3) (95% CI=11,111 to 18,020), 8160/cm(3) (95% CI=5060 to 11,260), and 11,310/cm(3) (95% CI=6820 to 15,810) for UFP exposures in walk, bus, and automobile environments, respectively. Likewise, each 10-km/h increase in morning wind speed corresponded to decreases of 8252/cm(3) (95% CI=5130 to 11,360), 6210/cm(3) (95% CI=3420 to 9000), and 6350/cm(3) (95% CI=2440 to 10,260) for UFP exposures in walk, bus, and automobile environments, respectively. Similar trends were observed in the evening hours. In an evaluation of model performance, moderate correlations were observed between measured and predicted UFP exposures on new bus (r=0.65) and automobile (r=0.77) routes. Further research is required to incorporate variables such as traffic density and vehicle ventilation settings into the models presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Weichenthal
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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Adar SD, Davey M, Sullivan JR, Compher M, Szpiro A, Liu LJS. Predicting Airborne Particle Levels Aboard Washington State School Buses. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2008; 42:7590-7599. [PMID: 18985175 PMCID: PMC2491491 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
School buses contribute substantially to childhood air pollution exposures yet they are rarely quantified in epidemiology studies. This paper characterizes fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) aboard school buses as part of a larger study examining the respiratory health impacts of emission-reducing retrofits.To assess onboard concentrations, continuous PM(2.5) data were collected during 85 trips aboard 43 school buses during normal driving routines, and aboard hybrid lead vehicles traveling in front of the monitored buses during 46 trips. Ordinary and partial least square regression models for PM(2.5) onboard buses were created with and without control for roadway concentrations, which were also modeled. Predictors examined included ambient PM(2.5) levels, ambient weather, and bus and route characteristics.Concentrations aboard school buses (21 mug/m(3)) were four and two-times higher than ambient and roadway levels, respectively. Differences in PM(2.5) levels between the buses and lead vehicles indicated an average of 7 mug/m(3) originating from the bus's own emission sources. While roadway concentrations were dominated by ambient PM(2.5), bus concentrations were influenced by bus age, diesel oxidative catalysts, and roadway concentrations. Cross validation confirmed the roadway models but the bus models were less robust.These results confirm that children are exposed to air pollution from the bus and other roadway traffic while riding school buses. In-cabin air pollution is higher than roadway concentrations and is likely influenced by bus characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara D Adar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105
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