BackgroundPrevious studies have reported relationships between adverse respiratory health outcomes and residential proximity to traffic pollution, but have not shown this at a personal exposure level.ObjectiveWe compared, among inner-city children with asthma, the associations of adverse asthma outcome incidences with increased personal exposure to particulate matter mass ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) air pollution versus the diesel-related carbonaceous fraction of PM2.5.MethodsDaily 24-hr personal samples of PM2.5, including the elemental carbon (EC) fraction, were collected for 40 fifth-grade children with asthma at four South Bronx schools (10 children per school) during approximately 1 month each. Spirometry and symptom scores were recorded several times daily during weekdays.ResultsWe found elevated same-day relative risks of wheeze [1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–2.04)], shortness of breath (1.41; 95% CI, 1.01–1.99), and total symptoms (1.30; 95% CI, 1.04–1.62) with an increase in personal EC, but not with personal PM2.5 mass. We found increased risk of cough, wheeze, and total symptoms with increased 1-day lag and 2-day average personal and school-site EC. We found no significant associations with school-site PM2.5 mass or sulfur. The EC effect estimate was robust to addition of gaseous pollutants.ConclusionAdverse health associations were strongest with personal measures of EC exposure, suggesting that the diesel “soot” fraction of PM2.5 is most responsible for pollution-related asthma exacerbations among children living near roadways. Studies that rely on exposure to PM mass may underestimate PM health impacts.

Personal exposures to fine Particulate Matter air pollution (PM2.5), and to its traffic-related fraction, were investigated in a group of urban children with asthma. The relationships of personal and outdoor school-site measurements of PM2.5 and elemental carbon (EC) were characterized for a total of forty fifth-grade children. These students, from four South Bronx, NY schools, each carried air pollution monitoring equipment with them 24 hours per day for approximately one month. Daily EC concentrations were estimated using locally calibrated reflectance of the PM2.5 samples. Personal EC was more closely related to outdoor school-site EC (median subject-specific r = 0.64) than was personal PM with school-site PM2.5 (median subject specific r = 0.33). Regression models also showed a stronger, more robust association of school-site with personal measurements for EC than for PM2.5. High traffic pollution exposure was found to coincide with the weekday early morning rush hour, with higher personal exposures for subjects living closer to a highway (< 500 ft). A significant linear relationship of home distance from a highway with personal EC pollution exposure was also found (up to 1000 ft.). This supports the assumptions by previous epidemiological studies using distance from a highway as an index of traffic PM exposure. These results are also consistent with the assumption that traffic, and especially diesel vehicles, are a significant contributor to personal PM exposure levels of children living in urban areas such as the South Bronx, NY.

Risk communication should focus on older adults, males, and those living in evacuation zones; more evacuation assistance is necessary. NYC's fatal injury profile can inform future coastal storm planning efforts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:378-385).

Visiting restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges is a regular part of urban cultural life for residents and tourists alike; however, anecdotal reports and diner surveys suggest that sound levels are excessive and diners dislike them. High sound levels in these venues can contribute to both patron and employee overexposure, and young people may be particularly at risk. To supplement the paucity of literature and data on noise in urban venues, patron noise exposure was measured inside a sample of loud New York City restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges. Sound level measurements were obtained in 59 venues. Field staff conducted one 20-162 minute visit per venue on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening. The equivalent continuous sound pressure level on the A-scale (L) was calculated for each visit. Median and mean L among all venues sampled were both 92 decibels (dBA). Clubs and lounges had a higher mean L than restaurants and bars (97 vs. 91 dBA, p < 0.05). A greater number of patrons was associated with a higher L. Higher L values were observed during later hours of the evening (9 PM and later). For 80% (N = 47) of the venues, the L was above 85 dBA. In 49% (N = 29) of the venues, the visit exceeded the maximum allowable daily noise dose based on National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) of 85 dBA 8-hr Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Venues should assess indoor sound levels including employee exposure and aim to maintain sound levels that are within NIOSH guidelines.

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