The exposure of pedestrians, drivers and road transport passengers to nitrogen dioxide

Abstract

People travelling by road transport are exposed to high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx), that are considered to be one of the primary pollutants from motor vehicles. This study examines the exposure of drivers, passengers and pedestrians to NO2 during different trip scenarios: travelling by private or public means of transport, along the major commuter routes in one of the biggest Polish agglomerations - Silesia Agglomeration, and other important communication routes in Poland, as well as during walks in both city centers and residential areas. The NO2 samples were collected in cars, trucks and buses interiors, as well as in the ambient air by passive samplers and next NO2 concentrations were analyzed by means of the spectrophotometric technique. The obtained results indicate that travelling by cars through city centers is associated with the exposure to NO2 concentrations of about 15% higher than in the case of travelling suburban routes; 33% greater than travelling by bus in urban traffic; more than app. 60% higher than in the case of travelling by bus in suburban traffic or by foot in city centers and up to 80% higher than moving on foot near little-used roads. The exposure profile of six groups of road users exposed to NO2 was therefore determined in this study. The obtained results could be used by policy makers to minimize the exposure to transportation-related pollutants concentrations and for planning far-reaching changes in the field of urban road transport.