| Title: | A scripted activity study of the impact of protective advice on personal exposure to ultra-fine and fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds |
| Author(s): | Stieb DM; Evans GJ; Sabaliauskas K; Chen LI; Campbell ME; Wheeler AJ; Brook JR; Guay M; |
| Address: | "ealthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. dave_stieb@hc-sc.gc.ca" |
| Journal Title: | J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1559-064X (Electronic) 1559-0631 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "We evaluated the impact on personal exposure to air pollutants of following advice which typically accompanies air quality advisories and indices. Scripts prescribed the time, location, duration and nature of activities intended to simulate daily activity patterns for adults and children. Scripts were paired such that one individual would proceed with usual activities (base scenario), whereas the other (intervention scenario) would alter activities as if following advice. Other than commuting, where the intervention group walked or used public transportation rather than riding in personal vehicles, this group generally spent less time outdoors. Ultra-fine particles (UFPs), particulate matter of median aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 mum (PM(2.5)) and total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured using samplers carried by individuals during the course of daily activities. During daytime activities (e.g., work, daycare) constituting the largest share of sampling time (approximately 6 h per day), the intervention group experienced a 14% reduction in exposure to UFPs (P=0.01), a 21% reduction in exposure to PM(2.5) (P=0.08), and an 86% increase in exposure to VOCs (P=0.02). Other findings included an 89% increase in exposure to UFPs (P=0.02) and a threefold increase in exposure to VOCs (P=0.08) in the intervention group during evening cooking. Following smog advisory advice results in reduced exposures to some pollutants, while at the same time increasing exposure to others. Advice needs to be refined giving consideration to overall personal exposure" |
| Keywords: | "Adult Air Pollution/*analysis Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis Child, Preschool Environmental Exposure/*analysis/*prevention & control Environmental Monitoring Health Behavior Health Promotion/*methods Humans Models, Statistical Ontario Organic Chemicals/*a;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineStieb, David M Evans, Gregory J Sabaliauskas, Kelly Chen, L I Campbell, Monica E Wheeler, Amanda J Brook, Jeffrey R Guay, Mireille eng 2007/12/07 J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2008 Sep; 18(5):495-502. doi: 10.1038/sj.jes.7500634. Epub 2007 Dec 5" |
