Sixteen-Year Monitoring of Particulate Matter Exposure in the Parisian Subway: Data Inventory and Compilation in a Database

Abstract

The regularly reported associations between particulate matter (PM) exposure, and morbidity and mortality due to respiratory, cardiovascular, cancer, and metabolic diseases have led to the reduction in recommended outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 exposure limits. However, indoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in subway systems in many cities are often higher than outdoor concentrations. The effects of these exposures on subway workers and passengers are not well known, mainly because of the challenges in exposure assessment and the lack of longitudinal studies combining comprehensive exposure and health surveillance. To fulfill this gap, we made an inventory of the PM measurement campaigns conducted in the Parisian subway since 2004. We identified 5856 PM2.5 and 18,148 PM10 results from both personal and stationary air sample measurements that we centralized in a database along with contextual information of each measurement. This database has extensive coverage of the subway network and will enable descriptive and analytical studies of indoor PM exposure in the Parisian subway and its potential effects on human health.

Job Exposure Matrix, a Solution for Retrospective Assessment of Particle Exposure in a Subway Network and Their Long-Term Effects

“…In this study, we focused on PM 10 exposure in the subway network, for which we had the largest amount of measurement data available (n = 18,148). These data were centralized in the quantitative database resulting from an exhaustive inventory of PM measurement campaigns and exposure monitoring programs that have been conducted in the company [57]. The quantitative results were abstracted as daily, monthly, or annual average values (in µg/m 3 ) along with contextual data abstracted in 30 variables (e.g., the measurement date, the measurement duration and method, the job, and the workplace location).…”

“…The principle of JEM construction involves the definition of homogenous exposure groups (i.e., groups that combine workers with similar exposure level because of tasks or similar work conditions). From the previous studies, we identified that PM concentrations vary depending on the calendar period, line, and geographic sector of the subway network [15,36,57]. Therefore, adding these determinants as additional dimensions to define homogeneous exposure groups in the JEM was important.…”

“…The practical aim of this study was to estimate the historical PM 10 levels of the workforce of the Parisian subway according to the job held, the workplace as characterized by the metro line and geographic sector within the network, as well as the year in which the job was held. This estimation was based on a large database of exposure measurements that had been assembled [57].…”

Metal and oxidative potential exposure through particle inhalation and oxidative stress biomarkers: a 2-week pilot prospective study among Parisian subway workers

“…In addition, the subway particles are coarser and have a very different chemical composition (Loxham and Nieuwenhuijsen 2019 ; Seaton et al 2005 ). PM sampled from underground transportation systems consists mainly of transition metals (Fe, Cu, Al, and Mn) (Ben Rayana et al 2022 ; Canu et al 2021a ; Loxham and Nieuwenhuijsen 2019 ) with a lower content of organic compounds compared to ambient PM. These differences relate to the type of emission sources, with abrasion/mechanical wear being important in subway environments, whereas secondary aerosols and combustion emissions being the major ambient PM source (COMEAP 2018a ).…”