Towards participatory air pollution exposure assessment in a goods movement community

Air pollution from diesel truck traffic travelling to and from port facilities is a major environmental health concern in areas of Philadelphia such as the Port Richmond neighborhood. Ambient monitoring has limited capability to assess neighborhood- or personal-level exposures to this pollution.

We sought to conduct a pilot study using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to assess community environmental health concerns, and measure residents' exposure to airborne traffic-related pollutants (fine particles [PM2.5]).

The research team established relationships with neighborhood schools and organizations, conducted 24 semistructured interviews, 2 community meetings, and 1 Photovoice exercise. Nine community researchers wore personal monitors that collected PM2.5 in the personal breathing zone for 1 to 3 days over a 6-day period in December 2011.

Air pollution and safety hazards from truck traffic, environmental hazards posed by nearby industry, related community health problems, and environmental assets were four major themes emerging from interviews and discussions. Personal monitoring revealed that smoking and smoke exposure had the most pronounced effect on PM2.5 concentrations, and that personal PM2.5 exposure levels were not related to ambient PM2.5 concentrations reported from stationary monitoring stations in Philadelphia.

Participation in personal air pollution monitoring and Photovoice exercises helped to increase awareness of pervasive mobile- and point-source diesel emissions throughout the neighborhood and develop priorities for action. Monitoring indicated the negative effects of cigarette smoke exposure, and disconnect between ambient- and personal-level PM2.5 concentrations that emphasized the need for more personal- and local-level monitoring. In addition, participatory methods are appropriate to involve lay persons in personal air pollution monitoring.