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Human exposure to urban air pollution
C E Boström1, J Almén, B Steen
1Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Research Department, Solna.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|October 1, 1994
Summary
This study estimates human exposure to air pollutants in Sweden, using nitrogen oxides (NOx) as a tracer for traffic-related carcinogens. Average NOx exposure for the Swedish population was found to be 23 micrograms/m3.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Traffic in Swedish cities is a major source of air pollution, contributing significantly to nitrogen oxides (NOx) concentrations and urban air mutagenicity.
- Selected air pollutants, including hydrocarbons and volatile aromatic compounds, are suspected carcinogens requiring exposure assessment.
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are proposed as a reliable indicator substance for estimating urban plume concentrations and associated pollutant exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop methods for estimating human exposure to specific air pollutants in Sweden.
- To quantify average exposure doses for the Swedish population to NOx and other traffic-related carcinogens.
- To establish NOx as a tracer for estimating exposure to various unregulated and volatile compounds.
Main Methods:
- Measurements of unregulated light hydrocarbons (ethene, ethyne, propane, propene, butane, isobutane) and volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in Stockholm.
- Simultaneous measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and determination of CO-to-specific compound ratios using linear regression.
- Application of atmospheric dispersion models and human activity models to estimate average NOx exposure in urban and rural areas.
Main Results:
- NOx concentrations were found to be a more suitable tracer for specific compounds than CO, especially at lower concentrations.
- The average exposure dose for NOx for the Swedish population was calculated to be 23 micrograms/m3.
- Average doses were estimated for polyaromatic compounds (PAH), various hydrocarbons, aromatic compounds, aldehydes, heavy metals, asbestos, and silicon based on NOx relationships.
Conclusions:
- NOx serves as an effective indicator for assessing human exposure to a range of traffic-related air pollutants in Sweden.
- The study provides crucial data on average exposure levels for the Swedish population to potentially carcinogenic substances.
- Methodologies developed can be applied to similar exposure assessments in other urban environments.