[Particle exposure modeling in the general population and risk of respiratory disease]

Total exposure assessment identifies the various sources of exposure to air pollution which affect each individual, thus functioning as a useful tool in clinical and environmental exposure management. A cross sectional survey was performed in order to create a total exposure model of inhaled particulates. This survey involved 544 subjects located within the Mexico City Merced monitoring station, an area covering three kilometers in diameter. Two questionnaires were developed one on housing and the other on respiratory symptoms. A diary on daily activity was kept, and an outdoor monitoring station was also installed. A new technology was adapted and incorporated for personal and indoor monitoring. A correlation of up to 0.38 was identified between the environmental concentrations. Exposures at home and at other extramural activities are most predictive of personal exposure. It was determined that 8.8% of the subjects studied had chronic bronchitis, and that this percentage increases with greater levels of exposure and outdoor sports. These findings conclude that the models are useful for risk assessment and management in Mexico.