Developing Community-Level Policy and Practice to Reduce Traffic-Related Air Pollution Exposure
Doug Brugge1, Allison P Patton2, Alex Bob3
1Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine.
Environmental Justice (Print)
|July 15, 2016
Summary
Reducing exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP) near highways is crucial for cardiovascular and pulmonary health. Integrating protective design tactics into urban planning can mitigate these health risks effectively.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Urban Planning
- Public Health
Background:
- Residential proximity to highways is linked to adverse cardiovascular and pulmonary outcomes.
- Traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP) are significantly elevated within 200-400 meters of major roadways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of incorporating community-level exposure reduction tactics into near-highway housing and school developments.
- To increase awareness of TRAP mitigation strategies in building design and urban planning.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary design charrette was conducted.
- Evaluated the integration of 10 community-level tactics for TRAP exposure reduction.
- Focused on housing and school developments near highways in the planning stages.
Main Results:
- The resulting designs successfully incorporated numerous protective tactics.
- The charrette fostered engagement between researchers, designers, and developers.
- Demonstrated the practical application of strategies like HEPA filtration, land-use buffers, and urban design.
Conclusions:
- Integrating TRAP reduction tactics into urban planning and building design is feasible and effective.
- Enhanced awareness and collaboration are key to mitigating health risks associated with traffic-related air pollution.
- Further implementation of these strategies is recommended for near-highway developments.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
567
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
567
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
1.1K
Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
1.1K
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
4.8K
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
4.8K
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
15.4K
Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
15.4K
01:41Social Traps
27.0K
Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned...
27.0K
01:36Types of Toxins
3.9K
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
3.9K