Exposure to Fine Particle along Different Commuting Routes in Urban Area of Fukuoka, Japan

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to assess the comparative risk associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM) while commuting via different public transport modes in Fukuoka, Japan. For the given routes and measuring days, a trip-maker carried a lightweight portable bag loaded the real-time measurement devices which take simultaneous measurement for size-fractioned particle number concentration, <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX> mass concentration, and total suspended particle (TSP) collection. The results of the present study have shown significant differences between public transports as commuting modes in Fukuoka. The PM exposure levels on subway platform and inside subway train were overwhelmingly higher than those of other points on commuting route. The relative ratio between modes (i.e., the ratio of <TEX>$PM_{2.5}$</TEX> inside subway to that inside bus) provides an idea for choosing a right commuting mode for our health. This study clearly provided evidence of the extremely high levels of iron exposure by subway uses compared to bus uses. The result of theoretically reconstructed mass concentration of <TEX>$PM_{2.0-0.3}$</TEX> collected on subway platform suggests that the PM of underground subway will be associated with PM both generated in subway system and inleakaged from outdoor environment.