Respiratory outcomes of ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) as a surrogate measure of near-roadway exposures among bicyclists

Abstract

BackgroundStudies have shown a consistent association between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and adverse health effects. In particular, exposure can be high for cyclists who travel near roadways. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between short-term exposure of near-road traffic emissions and acute changes in lung function among individuals who frequently bike in the Sacramento and Davis areas in California. Ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM) was used as a surrogate for near-roadway exposure in this study since the main source of this pollutant is from motor vehicle exhaust.MethodsThirty-two bicyclists were recruited and completed two rides on separate days during the study period of March-June, 2008. One ride was on a high traffic route paralleling a section of Interstate 80 (I-80)/Interstate Business 80 (I-80B), and a second one was on a low traffic route, such as bike paths away from major highways. The participant’s lung function was measured before and after each ride, and UFPM exposure was measured during the rides using a condensation particle counter (CPC).ResultsIn the final linear mixed-effect model using median UFPM concentrations as the main exposure, we observed that lung function change (post–ride minus baseline measurements) shifted in the negative direction. Lung function changed by 216 mL for FVC and 168 mL for FEV1, respectively, for an interquartile range (IQR: 12,225 to 36,833 number of particles/cm3) increase of UFPM concentration after adjusting for other covariates of age, sex, wind direction, and day of the week.ConclusionsThis study found significant associations between increased levels of UFPM concentrations as a proxy for near road traffic pollution, and decrements in lung function measurements. Our results are related to short-term exposures, and the long-term health effects of cycling near heavy traffic require further research. Our study suggests the need to reduce traffic pollution, particularly near roads. Cyclists should plan their route to reduce their exposure where possible and further research on built environment designs may help urban planners to reduce the potential health concerns of cyclists’ exposure to traffic-related air pollution.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-017-0212-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Understanding Potential Exposure of Bicyclists on Roadways to Traffic-Related Air Pollution: Findings from El Paso, Texas, Using Strava Metro Data

“…While a person is physically active, breathing and ventilation rates increase, and thus the amount of air pollutant inhaled is likely to increase [1]. Even with the expected health benefits of bicycling, poor air quality may generate health trade-offs, such as acute decrements in respiratory function [2,3,4], decreased heart rate variability [5,6], decreased microvascular function [7], and increased risk of myocardial infarction [8]. It has also become widely believed that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants, such as particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ), can cause respiratory and chronic diseases [9,10].…”

Understanding Potential Exposure of Bicyclists on Roadways to Traffic-Related Air Pollution: Findings from El Paso, Texas, Using Strava Metro Data

“…While a person is physically active, breathing and ventilation rates increase, and thus the amount of air pollutant inhaled is likely to increase [1]. Even with the expected health benefits of bicycling, poor air quality may generate health trade-offs, such as acute decrements in respiratory function [2][3][4], decreased heart rate variability [5,6], decreased microvascular function [7], and increased risk of myocardial infarction [8]. It has also become widely believed that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants, such as particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 µm (PM 2.5 ), can cause respiratory and chronic diseases [9,10].…”

“…The number of unique user IDs that had a ride start in the El Paso District 2. The number of unique bicycling activity IDs that had a ride start in the El Paso District.…”

Housing characteristics, home environmental factors, and pulmonary function deficit in Chinese children: Results from the Seven Northeast Cities (SNEC) Study

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are more than 3.8 million annual deaths attributable to indoor air pollution, with a great burden of disease in developing and developed countries (Lim et al 2012;Thomas et al 2015;Asikainen et al 2016). Associations between exposure to various forms of indoor air pollution and lung function outcomes in developed countries have been previously explored (Mendell et al 2011;Lane et al 2013;Khreis et al 2017;Park et al 2017). For instance, living in a home with active mold exposure has been associated with asthma development and exacerbation as well as diagnoses of asthma, dyspnea, wheeze, cough, respiratory infection, allergic rhinitis, and other upper respiratory tract symptoms (Mendell et al 2011).…”

“…For instance, living in a home with active mold exposure has been associated with asthma development and exacerbation as well as diagnoses of asthma, dyspnea, wheeze, cough, respiratory infection, allergic rhinitis, and other upper respiratory tract symptoms (Mendell et al 2011). Home proximity to roadways has been used as an exposure proxy for pollutants emitted through automobile traffic (Lane et al 2013;Khreis et al 2017;Park et al 2017), which has been associated with reduced lung function growth in school-aged children in the United States and Sweden (Gauderman et al 2007;Schultz et al 2012). Additionally, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (Chen et al 2014;Hu et al 2017;Milanzi et al 2017) allergens is known to play a role in respiratory irritation.…”