Mobile air quality studies (MAQS) in inner cities: particulate matter PM10 levels related to different vehicle driving modes and integration of data into a geographical information program

Abstract

BackgroundParticulate matter (PM) is assumed to exert a major burden on public health. Most studies that address levels of PM use stationary measure systems. By contrast, only few studies measure PM concentrations under mobile conditions to analyze individual exposure situations.MethodsBy combining spatial-temporal analysis with a novel vehicle-mounted sensor system, the present Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) aimed to analyse effects of different driving conditions in a convertible vehicle. PM10 was continuously monitored in a convertible car, driven with roof open, roof closed, but windows open, or windows closed.ResultsPM10 values inside the car were nearly always higher with open roof than with roof and windows closed, whereas no difference was seen with open or closed windows. During the day PM10 values varied with high values before noon, and occasional high median values or standard deviation values due to individual factors. Vehicle speed in itself did not influence the mean value of PM10; however, at traffic speed (10 – 50 km/h) the standard deviation was large. No systematic difference was seen between PM10 values in stationary and mobile cars, nor was any PM10 difference observed between driving within or outside an environmental (low emission) zone.ConclusionsThe present study has shown the feasibility of mobile PM analysis in vehicles. Individual exposure of the occupants varies depending on factors like time of day as well as ventilation of the car; other specific factors are clearly identifiably and may relate to specific PM10 sources. This system may be used to monitor individual exposure ranges and provide recommendations for preventive measurements. Although differences in PM10 levels were found under certain ventilation conditions, these differences are likely not of concern for the safety and health of passengers.

Airborne particulate matter in public transport: a field study at major intersection points in Frankfurt am Main (Germany)

“…PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 data were recorded using a portable laser aerosol spectrometer (PLA spectrometer 1.109, Grimm Aerosol Technik, Ainring, Germany) with a 6-seconds data interval time as described for the mobile air quality study (MAQS) in inner cities [ 13 ]. Data were immediately transferred to a Lenovo laptop via data logger and stored in Windows-Excel charts.…”

Development of New Health Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles: EPA Health Risk Assessment Revised

“…It has been statistically proven that there is a relationship between ambient air pollution, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. For this reason, many studies in the field of health risk assessment have addressed this issue, specifically on particulate matter produced by transport [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]; the research in this area is still receiving significant attention [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Nanoparticle health risks from ambient air found its attention slightly later but is also a substantial research field [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Mobile Measurements of Particulate Matter in a Car Cabin: Local Variations, Contrasting Data from Mobile versus Stationary Measurements and the Effect of an Opened versus a Closed Window

“…Based on this knowledge, guidelines are created and political decisions are made [18]. Because AQMS measurements are only for outside air and the PM concentration with its respective sources is generally distributed very heterogeneously within a certain area, it is questionable whether these static measurements are generally suitable for estimating the actual exposure to traffic participants, especially to passengers inside a car [19,20,21,22]. In Germany, for example, people spend, on average, 1 h and 28 min a day travelling, depending on their occupation and residence, mainly in cars [23].…”