Health risk associated with exposure to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds among two-wheeler delivery personnel in Ghaziabad, India

Abstract

The growth in India's food delivery sector is tremendous, with the increasing potential to deliver food to the doorsteps. This increases the number of food delivery persons on the road. Commuters on Delhi – National Capital Region streets are highly exposed to traffic-related air pollution. This study assessed the exposure of delivery persons in Ghaziabad to Particulate matter (PM) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), followed by a probabilistic health risk assessment. The mean exposure level while riding was 516, 180 and 113 μg/m3 for PM10, PM2.5 and PM1, respectively. The exposure values showed significant diurnal variation. The order of diurnal variation was night > morning > afternoon. The multiple path particle dosimetry model results showed that the total deposition fraction of PM10 in the respiratory tract was 2.5 and 3.7 times higher than PM2.5 and PM1, respectively. The total VOC concentrations detected at the traffic intersections, on the road while riding and in the front office of restaurants were 172, 50 and 16 μg/m3, respectively. Benzene was observed to be the major contributor to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. Results from sensitivity analysis indicated that the concentration of pollutants in the traffic junctions was the major parameter influencing the risk.