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ABSTRACT
Metropolitan residents are concerned about their exposure to airborne pollutants. But establishing these exposures is challenging. A compact personal exposure kit (PEK) was developed to evaluate personal integrated exposure (PIE) from time-resolved data to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in five microenvironments, including office, home, commuting, other indoor activities (other than home and office), and outdoor activities experienced both on weekdays and weekends. The study was conducted in Hong Kong. The PEK measured PM2.5, reported location and several other factors, stored collected data, as well as reported the data back to the investigators using global system for mobile communication (GSM) telemetry. Generally, PM2.5 concentrations in office microenvironment were found to be the smallest (13.0 μg/m3), whereas the largest PM2.5 concentration microenvironments were experienced during outdoor activities (54.4 μg/m3). Participants spent more than 85% of their time indoors, including in offices, homes, and other public indoor venues. On average, 42% and 81% of the time were spent in homes, which contributed 52% and 79% of PIE (during weekdays and weekends, respectively), suggesting that improvement of air quality in homes may reduce overall exposures and indicating the need for actions to mitigate possible public health burdens in Hong Kong. This study also found that various indoor/outdoor microenvironments experienced by urban office workers cannot be accurately represented by general urban air quality data reported from the regulatory monitoring. Such personalized air quality information, especially while in transit or in offices and homes, may provide improved information on population exposures to air pollution.
Implications: A newly developed personal exposure kit (PEK) was used to monitor PM2.5 exposure of metropolitan citizens in their daily life. Different microenvironments and time durations caused various personal integrated exposure (PIE). The stationary monitoring method for PIE was also compared and evaluated with PEK. Positive protection actions can be taken after understanding the major contribution to PM2.5 exposure.
Acknowledgment
The team at City University of Hong Kong would like to thank the Civic Exchange team, including Mr. Sunny Lam (senior research officer), for the assistance in the project design and implementation. The authors are grateful to the project team for coordination with the volunteers and help on the project, including Ms. Caroline Wong and Miss. Patricia Hayward.
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Supplemental data for this paper can be accessed on the publisher’s Website.
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Notes on contributors
Fenhuan Yang
Fenhuan Yang is a Ph.D. student in School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China.
Chui Fong Lau
Chui Fong Lau is a lecturer in the Department of Applied Science at Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Sha Tin), in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China. She is currently affiliated in the School of Energy and Environment in City University of Hong Kong as part-time Research Fellow.
Viki Wai Ting Tong
Viki Wai Ting Tong is a graduate of School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China.
Kiwi Kai Zhang
Kiwi Kai Zhang is a Research Assistant in Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China.
Dane Westerdahl
Dane Westerdahl is a Visiting Scholar in Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China.
Simon Ng
Simon Ng is an independent consultant working on air quality, urban transportation and sustainability issues. He was Civic Exchange’s former Chief Research Officer.
Zhi Ning
Zhi Ning is an Associate Professor in Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China.
