[Health effects of particulate matter exposure: current scientific knowledge]

Die Feinstaubbelastung Radfahrender im innerstädtischen Straßenverkehr

Fahrradfahren als Form der aktiven Fortbewegung bietet viele gesundheitliche Vorteile durch eine gesteigerte körperliche Aktivität. In städtischer Umgebung können diese Vorteile aufgrund der intensivierten Respiration beim Radfahren und der Nähe zum Fahrzeugverkehr mit einer assoziierten Exposition von verkehrsbedingter partikulärer Luftverschmutzung durch Feinstaub beeinträchtigt werden. Das Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist, eine Darstellung der aktuellen Literatur mit mobil erhobenen Daten zur Feinstaubbelastung Radfahrender im urbanen Raum zu geben sowie die darin beschriebenen Einflussfaktoren der Feinstaubkonzentrationen aus Meteorologie, Verkehr, Architektur und zeitlichen Bedingungen zu beschreiben. Fahrradfahren repräsentiert diesbezüglich eine effiziente Vorgehensweise zur Charakterisierung individueller Feinstaubbelastungen mit der Möglichkeit einer hohen räumlich-zeitlichen Auflösung. Unter Beachtung der Hintergrundkonzentration können Aussagen zur relativen Schadstoffexposition und des einhergehenden Gesundheitsrisikos mit Erkenntnissen zugunsten einer umweltverträglichen innerstädtischen Verkehrsplanung getroffen werden.

Mobile air quality studies (MAQS) in inner cities: particulate matter PM10 levels related to different vehicle driving modes and integration of data into a geographical information program

Background

Particulate matter (PM) is assumed to exert a major burden on public health. Most studies that address levels of PM use stationary measure systems. By contrast, only few studies measure PM concentrations under mobile conditions to analyze individual exposure situations.

Methods

By combining spatial-temporal analysis with a novel vehicle-mounted sensor system, the present Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) aimed to analyse effects of different driving conditions in a convertible vehicle. PM10 was continuously monitored in a convertible car, driven with roof open, roof closed, but windows open, or windows closed.

Results

PM10 values inside the car were nearly always higher with open roof than with roof and windows closed, whereas no difference was seen with open or closed windows. During the day PM10 values varied with high values before noon, and occasional high median values or standard deviation values due to individual factors. Vehicle speed in itself did not influence the mean value of PM10; however, at traffic speed (10 – 50 km/h) the standard deviation was large. No systematic difference was seen between PM10 values in stationary and mobile cars, nor was any PM10 difference observed between driving within or outside an environmental (low emission) zone.

Conclusions

The present study has shown the feasibility of mobile PM analysis in vehicles. Individual exposure of the occupants varies depending on factors like time of day as well as ventilation of the car; other specific factors are clearly identifiably and may relate to specific PM10 sources. This system may be used to monitor individual exposure ranges and provide recommendations for preventive measurements. Although differences in PM10 levels were found under certain ventilation conditions, these differences are likely not of concern for the safety and health of passengers.

Tobacco smoke particles and indoor air quality (ToPIQ) - the protocol of a new study

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a major contributor to indoor air pollution. Since decades it is well documented that ETS can be harmful to human health and causes premature death and disease. In comparison to the huge research on toxicological substances of ETS, less attention was paid on the concentration of indoor ETS-dependent particulate matter (PM). Especially, investigation that focuses on different tobacco products and their concentration of deeply into the airways depositing PM-fractions (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1) must be stated. The tobacco smoke particles and indoor air quality study (ToPIQS) will approach this issue by device supported generation of indoor ETS and simultaneously measurements of PM concentration by laser aerosol spectrometry. Primarily, the ToPIQ study will conduct a field research with focus on PM concentration of different tobacco products and within various microenvironments. It is planned to extend the analysis to basic research on influencing factors of ETS-dependent PM concentration.

Mobile Air Quality Studies (MAQS)-an international project

Due to an increasing awareness of the potential hazardousness of air pollutants, new laws, rules and guidelines have recently been implemented globally. In this respect, numerous studies have addressed traffic-related exposure to particulate matter using stationary technology so far. By contrast, only few studies used the advanced technology of mobile exposure analysis. The Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) addresses the issue of air pollutant exposure by combining advanced high-granularity spatial-temporal analysis with vehicle-mounted, person-mounted and roadside sensors. The MAQS-platform will be used by international collaborators in order 1) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to road structure, 2) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to traffic density, 3) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to weather conditions, 4) to compare exposure within vehicles between front and back seat (children) positions, and 5) to evaluate "traffic zone"-exposure in relation to non-"traffic zone"-exposure.Primarily, the MAQS-platform will focus on particulate matter. With the establishment of advanced mobile analysis tools, it is planed to extend the analysis to other pollutants including NO2, SO2, nanoparticles and ozone.