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Study of exposure and dose from particulate matter and their sources in the urban environment

Spais Georgios

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Summary

Atmospheric particulate matter is the most complex and perhaps the most important category of air pollutants due to its multiple short- and long-term effects on climate, public health and sustainability of ecosystems and historic monuments. Over the last decades, there has been a considerable interest in studying human exposure to particulate matter and its impact on human health. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that particulate matter has negative effects on health and has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in human population.The object of this diploma thesis is to study the personal exposure of a student of the Technical University of Crete to particulate matter with a maximum aerodynamic diameter of 10μm (PM10) throughout the day and estimate the dose to the respiratory tract. In addition, a correlation of the observed concentrations of particulate matter with their sources in various microenvironments has been established. For these purposes, continuous and repeated measurements were realized with the use of a personal exposure monitor carried by the student. During the measurements, the student followed his schedule, while at the same time he kept detailed time-activity diaries. Particulate matter concentrations were recorded during a fifteen-day period, followed by an analysis of the results. Subsequently, the dose and concentration of particulate matter in the human respiratory tract, the GI tract and the blood was determined with the use of the ExDoM (Exposure Dose Model), which has been developed in the Atmospheric Aerosols Laboratory of the Technical University of Crete.Analysis of the results showed that particulate matter concentrations did not exceed the limit of 50μg m-3 per day, which has been established by the European legislation. In many cases, however, much higher concentrations were recorded throughout the day, especially in cafés and bars with active smokers, as well as inside the house during the cooking process. High concentrations of particulate matter in combination with increased exertion levels of the student led to a high dose to his respiratory tract. The particulate matter was primarily deposited in the upper respiratory tract, although a considerable amount reached the alveolar region of the lungs.

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