| Title: | In-Cabin Air Quality during Driving and Engine Idling in Air-Conditioned Private Vehicles in Hong Kong |
| Author(s): | Barnes NM; Ng TW; Ma KK; Lai KM; |
| Address: | "Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China. natashamaria41@gmail.com. Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China. wai64@yahoo.com.hk. Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China. kkma@hkbu.edu.hk. Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China. laikaman@hkbu.edu.hk" |
| Journal Title: | Int J Environ Res Public Health |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1660-4601 (Electronic) 1661-7827 (Print) 1660-4601 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Many people spend lengthy periods each day in enclosed vehicles in Hong Kong. However, comparably limited data is available about in-cabin air quality in air-conditioned private vehicles, and the car usage that may affect the air quality. Fifty-one vehicles were tested for particulate matter (PM(0.3) and PM(2.5)), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO(2)), airborne bacteria, and fungi levels during their routine travel journey. Ten of these vehicles were further examined for PM(0.3), PM(2.5), TVOCs, CO, and CO(2) during engine idling. In general, during driving PM(2.5) levels in-cabin reduced overtime, but not PM(0.3). For TVOCs, 24% vehicles exceeded the recommended Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) level in offices and public places set by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. The total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) concentration positively correlated with the age of the vehicle. Carbon monoxide (CO) levels in all of the vehicles were lower than the IAQ recommendation, while 96% vehicles exceeded the recommended CO(2) level of 1000 ppmv; 16% vehicles >5000 ppmv. Microbial counts were relatively low. TVOCs levels at idle engine were higher than that during driving. Although the time we spend in vehicles is short, the potential exposure to high levels of pollutants should not be overlooked" |
| Keywords: | "Air Conditioning Air Pollutants/*analysis Air Pollution/analysis Air Pollution, Indoor/*analysis Bacteria/isolation & purification Carbon Dioxide/analysis Carbon Monoxide/analysis Environmental Monitoring Fungi/isolation & purification Hong Kong *Motor Ve;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineBarnes, Natasha Maria Ng, Tsz Wai Ma, Kwok Keung Lai, Ka Man eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Switzerland 2018/03/28 Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Mar 27; 15(4):611. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15040611" |
