Characterising professional drivers’ exposure to traffic-related air pollution: Evidence for reduction strategies from in-vehicle personal exposure monitoring
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Published version
Author(s)
Lim, Shanon
Barratt, Benjamin
Holliday, Lois
Griffiths, Chris J
Mudway, Ian
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Professional drivers working in congested urban areas are required to work near harmful traffic related pollutants for extended periods, representing a significant, but understudied occupational risk. This study collected personal black carbon (BC) exposures for 141 drivers across seven sectors in London. The aim of the study was to assess the magnitude and the primary determinants of their exposure, leading to the formulation of targeted exposure reduction strategies for the occupation. Each participant’s personal BC exposures were continuously measured using real-time monitors for 96 h, incorporating four shifts per participant. ‘At work’ BC exposures (3.1 ± 3.5 µg/m3) were 2.6 times higher compared to when ‘not at work’ (1.2 ± 0.7 µg/m3). Workers spent 19% of their time ‘at work driving’, however this activity contributed 36% of total BC exposure, highlighting the disproportionate effect driving had on their daily exposure. Taxi drivers experienced the highest BC exposures due to the time they spent working in congested central London, while emergency services had the lowest. Spikes in exposure were observed while driving and were at times greater than 100 µg/m3. The most significant determinants of drivers’ exposures were driving in tunnels, congestion, location, day of week and time of shift. Driving with closed windows significantly reduced exposures and is a simple behaviour change drivers could implement. Our results highlight strategies by which employers and local policy makers can reduce professional drivers’ exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
Date Issued
2021-08-01
Date Acceptance
2021-03-14
Citation
Environment International, 2021, 153
ISSN
0160-4120
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Environment International
Volume
153
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
National Institute for Health Research
Grant Number
MR/S019669/1
NIHR200880
Subjects
Black carbon
Exposure reduction
In-vehicle concentrations
Personal exposure
Professional drivers
Environmental Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 106532
Date Publish Online
2021-03-31