An investigation of the PM2.5 concentrations and cumulative inhaled dose during subway commutes in Changchun, China

Chang, L. and Chong, W.T. and Yau, Y.H. and Cui, T. and Wang, X.R. and Pei, F. and Liu, Y.Q. and Pan, S. (2024) An investigation of the PM2.5 concentrations and cumulative inhaled dose during subway commutes in Changchun, China. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 21 (1). 733 – 746. ISSN 1735-1472, DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-04994-7.

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Abstract

Air quality in subway systems is crucial as it affects the health of passengers and staff. Although most tests of PM2.5 concentrations in subway stations have taken place in public areas, PM2.5 is less understood in workplaces. Few studies have estimated the cumulative inhaled dose of passengers based on real-time changes in PM2.5 concentrations as they commute. To clarify the above issues, this study first measured PM2.5 concentrations in four subway stations in Changchun, China, where measuring points included five workrooms. Then, passengers' exposure to PM2.5 during the whole subway commute (20–30 min) was measured and segmented inhalation was calculated. The results showed that PM2.5 concentration in public places ranged from 50 to 180 μg/m3, and was strongly correlated with outdoors. While the PM2.5 average concentration in workplaces was 60 µg/m3, and it was less affected by outdoor PM2.5 concentration. Passenger's cumulative inhalations in single commuting were about 42 μg and 100 μg when the outdoor PM2.5 concentrations were 20–30 μg/m3 and 120–180 μg/m3, respectively. The PM2.5 inhalation in carriages accounted for the largest proportion of the entire commuting, about 25–40, because of the longer exposure time and higher PM2.5 concentrations. It is recommended to improve the tightness of the carriage and filter the fresh air to improve the air quality inside. The average daily PM2.5 inhaled by staff was 513.53 μg, which was 5–12 times higher than that of passengers. Installing air purification devices in workplaces and reminding staff to take personal protection can positively protect their health. © 2023, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Iranian Society of Environmentalists (IRSEN) and Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Hebei Province international science and technology cooperation fundamental project at the North China Institute of Science and Technology [Grant no. 20594501D], Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Energy Saving of Cold Regions Architecture, National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant no. 51578011], Universiti Malaya [Grant no. ST023-2020], Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia [Grant no.JLJZHDKF202206]
Uncontrolled Keywords: Air quality; Cumulative inhaled; Investigation; PM2.5; Subway station; Workplaces
Subjects: N Fine Arts > NA Architecture
T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering > Department of Mechanical Engineering
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 15 Apr 2024 07:39
Last Modified: 15 Apr 2024 07:39
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/45000

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