Exposure of trucking company workers to particulate matter during the winter

Abstract

This study analyzed the workplace area concentrations and the personal exposure concentrations to fine particulate (PM 2.5), elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC) measured during the winter period in trucking companies. The averaged personal exposure concentrations at breathing zones of workers are much greater than those of the microenvironment concentrations. The highest difference between the area (microenvironment) and personal exposure concentrations was in the PM 2.5 concentrations followed by the OC concentrations. The area concentrations of PM 2.5, EC, and OC at a large terminal were higher than those at a small one. The highest area concentrations of PM 2.5, EC, and OC were observed in the shop areas followed by pick-up and delivery (P&D) areas. The area concentrations and personal exposure to PM 2.5, EC, and OC in the shop and P&D areas which are highly affected by diesel engine exhaust emissions were much higher than those in the docks which are significantly affected by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) engine exhaust emissions. The highest EC fraction to the total carbon (EC + OC) concentrations was observed in the shops, while the lowest one was identified in the offices. The personal exposure of the smoking workers to PM 2.5 and OC was much higher than that of the non-smoking workers. However, the smoking might not significantly contribute to the personal exposure to EC. There were significant correlations between the PM 2.5 and OC concentrations in both the area and personal exposure concentrations. However, significant correlations between the PM 2.5 and EC concentrations and between the OC and EC concentrations were not identified.