Investigation of on-road fine particulate matter exposure concentration and its inhalation dosage levels in an urban area

Abstract

This study aims to assess, map, and identify hotspots of on-road fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure concentration in a future smart city (Vellore, India). About 22 km of major roads are considered in Vellore city and categorized as four routes viz., stop and go (route-1), low public transport (route-2), outer road (route-3), and continuous traffic (route-4). Mobile monitoring is adopted for PM2.5 sampling during morning and evening time of weekdays and weekends using the portable aerosol monitor. Further, mobile monitoring data is used for estimating the PM2.5 inhalation dosage experienced by male, female, and children. Results showed that route-4 recorded the highest mean PM2.5 exposure concentration during weekday morning (101.80 ± 33.10 μg m−3) and weekend morning (119.88 ± 41.05 μg m−3) whereas route-2 and route-1 has the highest concentration in weekday evening (101.95 ± 47.73 μg m−3) and weekend evening (114.49 ± 35.95 μg m−3), respectively. PM2.5 exposure concentration map is created, and major hotspots are identified near road intersections. The weekend morning of route-4 is found with the highest mean inhalation dosage of 1.07, 0.77 and 0.75 μg min−1 in male, female, and children, respectively. Route-3 registered lowest inhalation dosages among all routes.