Modeling of Human Exposure to In-Vehicle PM_2.5 from Environmental Tobacco Smoke

ABSTRACT

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is estimated to be a significant contributor to in-vehicle human exposure to fine particulate matter of 2.5 μm or smaller (PM_2.5). A critical assessment was conducted of a mass balance model for estimating PM_2.5 concentration with smoking in a motor vehicle. Recommendations for the range of inputs to the mass-balance model are given based on literature review. Sensitivity analysis was used to determine which inputs should be prioritized for data collection. Air exchange rate (ACH) and the deposition rate have wider relative ranges of variation than other inputs, representing inter-individual variability in operations, and inter-vehicle variability in performance, respectively. Cigarette smoking and emission rates and vehicle interior volume are also key inputs. The in-vehicle ETS mass balance model was incorporated into the Stochastic Human Exposure and Dose Simulation for Particulate Matter (SHEDS-PM) model to quantify the potential magnitude and variability of in-vehicle exposures to ETS. The in-vehicle exposure also takes into account near-road incremental PM_2.5 concentration from on-road emissions. Results of probabilistic study indicate that ETS is a key contributor to the in-vehicle average and high-end exposure. Factors that mitigate in-vehicle ambient PM_2.5 exposure lead to higher in-vehicle ETS exposure, and vice versa.

Key Words:

• tobacco smoke
• vehicles
• exposure
• PM_2.5
• variability
• inhalation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article was developed in part under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) STAR Research Assistance Agreement No. R833863, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant No. 1 R01 ES014843-01A2. It has not been formally reviewed by the USEPA or NIH.

The views expressed in this document are solely those of the authors and the USEPA and NIH do not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this article.