Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-28-2015

Keywords

air pollution, carbon monoxide, commute, particle number, particulate matter, traffic

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2015.68

Abstract

Traffic-related air pollution is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, yet few studies have examined strategies to reduce individual exposure while commuting. The present study aimed to quantify how choice of mode and route type affects personal exposure to air pollutants during commuting. We analyzed within-person difference in exposures to multiple air pollutants (black carbon (BC), carbon monoxide (CO), ultrafine particle number concentration (PNC), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5)) during commutes between the home and workplace for 45 participants. Participants completed 8 days of commuting by car and bicycle on direct and alternative (reduced traffic) routes. Mean within-person exposures to BC, PM2.5, and PNC were higher when commuting by cycling than when driving, but mean CO exposure was lower when cycling. Exposures to CO and BC were reduced when commuting along alternative routes. When cumulative exposure was considered, the benefits from cycling were attenuated, in the case of CO, or exacerbated, in the case of particulate exposures, owing to the increased duration of the commute. Although choice of route can reduce mean exposure, the effect of route length and duration often offsets these reductions when cumulative exposure is considered. Furthermore, increased ventilation rate when cycling may result in a more harmful dose than inhalation at a lower ventilation rate.

Comments

Complete list of authors:

Nicholas Good, Anna Mölter, Charis Ackerson, Annette Bachand, Taylor Carpenter, Maggie L Clark, Kristen M Fedak, Ashleigh Kayne, Kirsten Koehler, Brianna Moore, Christian L'Orange, Casey Quinn, Viney Ugave, Amy L Stuart, Jennifer L Peel & John Volckens

Rights Information

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, v. 26, p. 397–404

jes201568x1.doc (3495 kB)

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