Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to perform an exposure assessment of PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter) among children and to explore the potential sources of exposure from both indoor and outdoor environments.MethodsIn terms of real-time exposure measurements of PM2.5, we collected data from 57 children aged 8–12 years (9.64 ± 0.93 years) in two schools in Shanghai, China. Simultaneously, questionnaire surveys and time-activity diaries were used to estimate the environment at home and daily time-activity patterns in order to estimate the exposure dose of PM2.5 in these children. Principle component regression analysis was used to explore the influence of potential sources of PM2.5 exposure.ResultsAll the median personal exposure and microenvironment PM2.5 concentrations greatly exceeded the daily 24-h PM2.5 Ambient Air Quality Standards of China, the USA, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The median Etotal (the sum of the PM2.5 exposure levels in different microenvironment and fractional time) of all students was 3014.13 (μg.h)/m3. The concentration of time-weighted average (TWA) exposure of all students was 137.01 μg/m3. The median TWA exposure level during the on-campus period (135.81 μg/m3) was significantly higher than the off-campus period (115.50 μg/m3, P = 0.013 < 0.05). Besides ambient air pollution and meteorological conditions, storey height of the classroom and mode of transportation to school were significantly correlated with children’s daily PM2.5 exposure.ConclusionsChildren in the two selected schools were exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5 in winter of 2013 in Shanghai. Their personal PM2.5 exposure was mainly associated with ambient air conditions, storey height of the classroom, and children’s transportation mode to school.
Highlights
Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that long-term or short-term exposure to PM2.5 can result in a wide spectrum of adverse health effects, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and excess mortality[1,2,3,4,5]
Children in the two selected schools were exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5 in winter of 2013 in Shanghai
Their personal PM2.5 exposure was mainly associated with ambient air conditions, storey height of the classroom, and children’s transportation mode to school
Summary
Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that long-term or short-term exposure to PM2.5 can result in a wide spectrum of adverse health effects, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and excess mortality[1,2,3,4,5]. It can lead to diverse adverse health outcomes include impaired pulmonary function, increased blood pressure, stroke, lung cancer, and some other illnesses. According to the global estimate of ambient PM2.5 concentrations from satellite-based aerosol optical depth, the level of PM2.5 in China represents one of the highest in the world [8].The Global Burden of Disease Study showed that ambient PM pollution was the fourth leading risk factor for disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in China in 2010, which resulted in 25.2 million DALYs [9]
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