Results of a study on commuter exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and PM10 during transit in the several commonly popular modes of transport in Mumbai, India and Newcastle, UK are presented in this paper. In Mumbai, real-time exposure concentrations were measured whilst commuting along a route by bus, train, air conditioned taxi and a non-air-conditioned private car. In Newcastle, real-time exposure concentrations were measured whilst travelling by electric vehicle, public bus and bicycle along a route. Average heart rate whilst commuting was monitored and subsequently simulated in a submaximal exercise test to give minute ventilation (VE) associated with each transport mode. The study in Mumbai has indicated that commuters travelling on buses and private non-air-conditioned cars are exposed to very high levels of air pollution compared with the train commuters. In Newcastle, electric vehicle and bicycle displayed lowest exposure concentrations relative to buses. Higher exposure concentrations were observed for all travel modes in Mumbai as compared to Newcastle. When inhaled amount and the lung deposition of pollutants are considered, cyclists are exposed to higher amount of exposure dose in Newcastle due to the considerable increase in VE induced by the physical exertion of cycling. Thus, inhaled quantity and pollutant dosage give a better indication of the possible health risks and should be considered in future studies and in designing the cycle routes in cities.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.