Exposure to Black Carbon during Bicycle Commuting–Alternative Route Selection

Borut Jereb,Asta Gregorič,Tanja Batkovič,Špela Kovše,Luka Herman,Griša Močnik,Gregor Šipek

doi:10.3390/atmos9010021

Borut Jereb, Asta Gregorič + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9010021

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Abstract

Traffic air pollution significantly influences cyclists using cycling routes near main roads. We analyze the dependency of black carbon (BC) concentrations in relation to the proximity to their traffic sources. We performed static and mobile measurements of BC using aethalometers at chosen sites and cycling routes in Celje, Slovenia—static measurements at two road-side sites and an urban background site. Mobile measurements were performed simultaneously at an existing cycling route and an alternative route away from the busy roads. BC concentration apportioned to traffic decreases with the distance from the sources on the main road. The exposure of cyclists to BC can be greatly reduced by moving the cycling route away from busy roads, hence we propose an alternative route and show that traffic planning and management should include all modes of transport. Results imply that street intersections along the cycling routes influence the cyclists’ exposure and should be as few as possible when planning cycling routes in urban areas.

Highlights

Epidemiological studies provide sufficient evidence of the association of cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality with black carbon (BC) exposure
The review of toxicological studies suggested that BC may not be a major directly toxic component of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ), but it may operate as a universal carrier of a wide variety of chemicals of varying toxicity to the human body
The number of mobile measurements along the same route are relatively low compared to recommendations given in the recent publication by Apte et al [31], the results presented in this study were obtained by simultaneous measurements along both routes, avoiding differences in measurements due to meteorology

Summary

Introduction

Epidemiological studies provide sufficient evidence of the association of cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality with black carbon (BC) exposure. A reduction in exposure to PM2.5 containing BC and other combustion-related particulate material for which BC is an indirect indicator, should lead to a reduction in the health effects associated with PM and simultaneously contribute to the mitigation of climate change [1]. Many studies have confirmed highly spatially heterogeneous pollutant concentrations in urban areas, with rapid decrease of concentration with increasing distance from vehicle emissions, which significantly influences exposure levels (e.g., [3,4]). The main parameters which help to reduce near-roadway pollution are lower traffic densities and fewer intersections, since several studies have proven an increased exposure due to higher emissions from vehicle accelerations at intersections [5,6,7]

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