Exposure of commuters to particulate matter for various modes of commuting in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR)

Abstract

In India, traffic is the main cause of air pollution in urban areas. While commuting, commuters are substantially exposed to pollutants. This study was carried out on one of the busiest routes of Delhi – NCR to measure personal exposure to PM1 , PM2.5, and PM10 in four transportation modes, such as motorcycle, auto-rickshaw, car-open window, and car-AC (Air conditioner). Using a transportable aerosol spectrometer, Particulate Matter (PM) measurements were repeated for five weekdays during peak and off-peak hours for all transportation modes. Trip averaged exposure to pollution to commuters for PM1 in decreasing order was motorcycle, auto rickshaw, car -open window and car - AC in peak hour and motorcycle, auto rickshaw, car -open window and car - AC in non-peak hour. For PM2.5 it was motorcycle, auto rickshaw, car- open window and car - AC in peak hour and motorcycle, auto rickshaw, car - open window and carAC in non-peak hour. Whereas for PM10 it was motorcycle, auto rickshaw, car- open window and car - AC in peak hour and motorcycle, auto rickshaw, car- open window and car -AC in non-peak hour. Size fractions (fine/coarse) varied from 32 to 78% in the peak hour and 24 to 60% in the non–peak hour. The findings of this study can be utilized to focus efforts on lowering personal exposure.