Commuter exposure to fine particulate matter in private road transport modes in Salem, India

Abstract

Private vehicles are high dominant mode of transport in Salem, India, since there is no any commuter personal exposure information on air pollution. This is the first pollutant exposure study in different private vehicles across Salem city. In this study, critical air pollutant of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was measured. In addition, accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration also assessed in closed vehicles. The measured vehicles were motorcycle, auto rickshaw, hatchback car, sedan car, sports utility vehicle (SUV) car, and multi utility vehicle (MUV) van. The four-wheeler (car and van) in-vehicle concentrations were assessed under four different ventilation conditions. Student?s t-test statistical analysis was carried out to determine the significance exposure level between the vehicles. It is observed that there is no statistically significant difference (p ? 0.05) between the vehicles of motorcycle and sedan; motorcycle and MUV; and auto rickshaw and SUV for PM2.5 pollutant. A regression analysis shows a strong negative correlation between PM2.5 and CO2 concentration in an air-conditioning (AC) cars.