Particle Number Concentration Measurements on Public Transport in Bangkok, Thailand.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 20(7)2023 03 29.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37047932
ABSTRACT
Traffic is a major source of particulate pollution in large cities, and particulate matter (PM) level in Bangkok often exceeds the World Health Organisation limits. While PM2.5 and PM10 are both measured in Bangkok regularly, the sub-micron range of PM, of specific interest in regard to possible adverse health effects, is very limited. In the study, particle number concentration (PNC) was measured on public transport in Bangkok. A travel route through Bangkok using the state railway, the mass rapid transport underground system, the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain and public buses on the road network, with walking routes between, was taken whilst measuring particle levels with a hand-held concentration particle counter. The route was repeated 19 times covering different seasons during either morning or evening rush hours. The highest particle concentrations were found on the state railway, followed by the bus, the BTS Skytrain and the MRT underground with measured peaks of 350,000, 330,000, 33,000 and 9000 cm-3, respectively, though particle numbers over 100,000 cm-3 may be an underestimation due to undercounting in the instrument. Inside each form of public transport, particle numbers would peak when stopping to collect passengers (doors opening) and decay with a half-life between 2 and 3 min. There was a weak correlation between particle concentration on bus, train and BTS and Skytrain with carbon monoxide concentration, as measured at a fixed location in the city.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Air Pollutants
/
Air Pollution
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Environ Res Public Health
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom