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Respiratory health effects of ultrafine and fine particle exposure in cyclists Maciej Strak, Hanna Boogaard, Kees Meliefste, et al. Occup Environ Med 2010 67: 118-124 originally published online September 22, 2009
doi: 10.1136/oem.2009.046847
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Environment
Respiratory health effects of ultrafine and fine particle exposure in cyclists Maciej Strak,1,2 Hanna Boogaard,1 Kees Meliefste,1 Marieke Oldenwening,1 Moniek Zuurbier,1,3 Bert Brunekreef,1 Gerard Hoek1 1 Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands 2Centre for Environmental Health Research (MGO), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands 3Public Health Services Gelderland Midden, Arnhem, The Netherlands
Correspondence to Maciej Strak, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands;
[email protected] The work was performed at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. Accepted 19 July 2009 Published Online First 22 September 2009
ABSTRACT Objectives Monitoring studies have shown that commuters are exposed to high air pollution concentrations, but there is limited evidence of associated health effects. We carried out a study to investigate the acute respiratory health effects of air pollution related to commuting by bicycle. Methods Twelve healthy adults cycled a low- and a high-traffic intensity route during morning rush hour in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was characterised by measurements of PM10, soot and particle number. Before, directly after and 6 h after cycling we measured lung function (FEV1, FVC, PEF), exhaled NO (FENO) and respiratory symptoms. The association between post- minus pre-exposure difference in health effects and exposure during cycling was evaluated with linear regression models. Results The average particle number concentration was 59% higher, while the average soot concentration was 39% higher on the high-traffic route than on the lowtraffic route. There was no difference for PM10. Contrary to our hypothesis, associations between air pollution during cycling and lung function changes immediately after cycling were mostly positive. Six hours after cycling, associations between air pollution exposure and health were mostly negative for lung function changes and positive for changes in exhaled NO, although nonsignificant. Conclusions We found substantial differences in ultrafine particle number and soot exposure between two urban cycling routes. Exposure to ultrafine particles and soot during cycling was weakly associated with increased exhaled NO, indicative of airway inflammation, and decrements in lung function 6 h after exposure. A limitation of the study was the relatively small sample size.
INTRODUCTION Air monitoring studies have shown that commuters are exposed to high air pollution concentrations.1e9 Commuter exposures are typically much higher than those measured at fixed site monitors because they are closer to the source.10 A recent WHO report indicates that in many countries people spend 1e1.5 h/day commuting.11 Despite this short travel time, studies have documented that time spent in traffic was a significant predictor of 24 h average personal exposure.12e14 There is limited evidence of health effects related to the short, high air pollution exposures during commuting. Evidence from epidemiological and toxicological studies indicates that traffic-related air pollution affects a number of health outcomes, 118
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