Exposure to particulate matter in vehicle cabins of private cars

Abstract

A growing number of studies indicate the significance of short-term exposures to airborne particulate matter, such as those occurring in a vehicle cabin. In this study, PM10, PM2.5, PM1 concentrations were measured using optical particle counters in eighteen tobacco smoke-free private cars in movement. The average concentrations were 48.6 μg/m3, 26.9 μg/m3 and 22.6 μg/m3 for PM10, PM2.5 and for PM1, respectively. These levels were found to depend directly on the ambient air PM concentration and the choice of ventilation used inside the cars. The average number of particles with a diameter > 0.3 μm measured in the cabins of the cars was 185,723 particles/L. The average number of particles with a diameter between 0.02-1 μm was 16,391 particles/cm3. Concentrations were found to partly exceed the established limit values for ambient air. Thus, the time spent driving a vehicle might significantly contribute to the daily overall exposure to particulate matter, especially in the case of some groups of professional workers. © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research.