Demolition of High-Rise Public Housing Increases Particulate Matter Air Pollution in Communities of High-Risk Asthmatics

Abstract

Public housing developments across the United States are being demolished, potentially increasing local concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in communities with high burdens of severe asthma. Little is known about the impact of demolition on local air quality. At three public housing developments in Chicago, IL, PM with an aerodynamic diameter Ͻ10 m (PM 10 ) and Ͻ2.5 m were measured before and during high-rise demolition. Additionally, size-selective sampling and real-time monitoring were concurrently performed upwind and downwind of one demolition site. The concentration of particulates attributable to demolition was estimated after accounting for background urban air pollution. Particle microscopy was performed on a small number of samples. Substantial increases of PM 10 occurred during demolition, with the magnitude of that increase varying based on sampler distance, wind direction, and averaging time. During structural demolition, local concentrations of PM 10 42 m downwind of a demolition site increased 4-to 9-fold above upwind concentrations (6-hr averaging time). After adjusting for background PM 10 , the presence of dusty conditions was associated with a 74% increase in PM 10 100 m downwind of demolition sites (24-hr averaging times). During structural demolition, short-term peaks in real-time PM 10 (30-sec averaging time) occasionally exceeded 500 g/m 3 . The median particle size downwind of a demolition site (17.3 m) was significantly larger than background (3 m). Specific activities are associated with realtime particulate measures. Microscopy did not identify asbestos or high concentrations of mold spores. In conclusion, individuals living near sites of public housing demolition are at risk for exposure to high particulate concentrations. This increase is characterized by relatively large particles and high short-term peaks in PM concentration.

Release of ultrafine particles from three simulated building processes

“…All such building activities 46 are known to release significant amounts of coarse particles into the local 47 environment. For instance, Dorevitch et al (2006) found a 74% increase in PM 10 48 (particulate matter with 10 m aerodynamic diameter) concentrations 100 m 49 downwind of a high-rise building demolition site in Chicago, USA. Likewise, 50 Fuller et al (2002) showed that fugitive PM 10 emissions produced from building 51 works at Marylebone Road in London during September 1999 contributed to daily 52 mean PM 10 concentrations in excess of 50 g m -3 .…”

Physicochemical characteristics and occupational exposure to coarse, fine and ultrafine particles during building refurbishment activities

“…For example, Dorevitch et al (2006) measured PM10 during the demolition of a reinforced concrete building and found 6h averaged concentrations up to about 10-times higher compared with predemolition levels which are background concentrations in this case. Likewise, Beck et al (2003) found ambient levels of PM10 to increase by between 8 and 3000-times during implosion of a building compared with pre-demolition levels, depending on the distance of measurement point from the source.…”

“…As a consequence, it is essential to determine the exposure levels of operatives involved in building refurbishment as well as understanding the It has now been established that various size of particles arising from vehicle exhaust and non-vehicle exhaust sources enhance their concentrations in certain areas (Dall'Osto et al, 2011;Hopke et al, 1980;Kumar et al, 2010Kumar et al, , 2011bKumar et al, , 2013b. A few studies have also reported the particle number and mass emissions arising from the demolition of buildings and transport structures (Dorevitch et al, 2006;Hansen et al, 2008), concrete recycling and road works (Fuller et al, 2002;Fuller and Green, 2004).…”

Bias and confounding in longitudinal measures of exhaled monoxides

“…Subjects were recruited by community asthma educators in three Chicago public housing developments in which high rise demolition was taking place (Dorevitch et al, 2006 Eligible subjects had physician-diagnosed asthma, or were non-asthmatic family members of asthmatic subjects. Exclusion criteria were smoking, age less than 8 years, lung disease other than asthma, or daily use of oral corticosteroids.…”