Relationship Between Road Traffic Exposure and Human Health

Abstract

Hong Kong is highly urbanised and a substantial proportion of the population lives within proximity to the roadside. The association between long-term exposure to road traffic air pollution and risks to human health has attracted much research attention in western countries but perhaps not enough in Hong Kong, although they have been lobbying topics favoured by environmentalists. This study relates the pulmonary function of samples to the living air quality. The study focuses on five residential areas and five business areas in Hong Kong. Samples are required to take a pulmonary function test. Air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, CO2 and CO were monitored as well. Statistical regression was further applied to quantify the significant contributors to pulmonary function. This study showed that the pulmonary function in terms of FVC has a significant difference in different areas. The samples that lived in heavy traffic areas had relatively poor value in terms of FVC. Last but not least, a statistical regression model was conducted and showed that PM10 and CO have a significant negative impact on lung function. This result raises the alarm about high-density town planning and also expresses the importance of promoting electric vehicles in Hong Kong.