Australian Health Promotion Association

by Michael Chertok, Alexander Voukelatos, Vicky Sheppeard and Chris Rissel  

Abstract  

Issue addressed: International studies have consistently found that exposure to air pollutants is higher inside cars than outside. However, few studies have compared personal exposure to air pollutants by travel mode focusing on usual travel patterns.  

Objectives: To compare the exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for commuters in central Sydney for five different commuting modes.  

Methods: Forty-four volunteers were recruited into one of five travel mode groups: car, train, bus, bicycle and walking. Each participant travelled for at least 30 minutes by their usual mode of travel to the area around Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, in central Sydney. Each participant wore BTEX and NO2 passive sampling apparatus during their travel to and from work for two weeks, following specific instructions to measure personal exposure. 

Results: The highest pollutant levels for all four BTEX pollutants were found for car commuters. Train commuters recorded the lowest pollutant levels for all four BTEX pollutants and NO2, and these levels were significantly lower than that for car commuters. Commuting by bus recorded the highest levels for NO2. Walking and cycling commuters had significantly lower levels of exposure to benzene compared with car commuters and significantly lower levels of NO2 than bus commuters. 

Conclusions: The results of this study are consistent with the findings of studies in other cities and found elevated levels of exposure to motor vehicle-related pollutants in roadway microenvironments. Strategies that encourage commuting by train, walking and cycling should be supported as this reduces population exposure to motor vehicle-related pollutants. 

Health Promotion Journal of Australia 2004;15:63-7

So what? 

People travelling to work in peak-hour periods should use alternatives to cars to reduce their exposure to air pollutants, and also to reduce the exposure of other commuters by reducing their contribution to car emissions.