MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, UK.
MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, UK; NIHR Environmental Exposure and Health HPRU, Imperial College London, UK.
Environ Int. 2021 Aug;153:106532. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106532. Epub 2021 Mar 31.
Professional drivers working in congested urban areas are required to work near harmful traffic related pollutants for extended periods, representing a significant, but understudied occupational risk. This study collected personal black carbon (BC) exposures for 141 drivers across seven sectors in London. The aim of the study was to assess the magnitude and the primary determinants of their exposure, leading to the formulation of targeted exposure reduction strategies for the occupation. Each participant's personal BC exposures were continuously measured using real-time monitors for 96 h, incorporating four shifts per participant. 'At work' BC exposures (3.1 ± 3.5 µg/m) were 2.6 times higher compared to when 'not at work' (1.2 ± 0.7 µg/m). Workers spent 19% of their time 'at work driving', however this activity contributed 36% of total BC exposure, highlighting the disproportionate effect driving had on their daily exposure. Taxi drivers experienced the highest BC exposures due to the time they spent working in congested central London, while emergency services had the lowest. Spikes in exposure were observed while driving and were at times greater than 100 µg/m. The most significant determinants of drivers' exposures were driving in tunnels, congestion, location, day of week and time of shift. Driving with closed windows significantly reduced exposures and is a simple behaviour change drivers could implement. Our results highlight strategies by which employers and local policy makers can reduce professional drivers' exposure to traffic-related air pollution.
专业驾驶员在拥堵的城市地区工作，需要长时间接触有害的交通相关污染物，这是一个重大但研究不足的职业风险。本研究在伦敦七个行业收集了 141 名驾驶员的个人黑碳（BC）暴露数据。该研究的目的是评估其暴露的程度和主要决定因素，从而为该职业制定有针对性的暴露减少策略。每位参与者的个人 BC 暴露均使用实时监测仪连续测量 96 小时，每个参与者包含四个班次。“工作时”的 BC 暴露（3.1±3.5μg/m）比“非工作时”（1.2±0.7μg/m）高 2.6 倍。工人有 19%的时间“在工作中驾驶”，但这一活动占总 BC 暴露的 36%，突出了驾驶对他们日常暴露的不成比例的影响。出租车司机由于在拥挤的伦敦市中心工作的时间较长，因此经历了最高的 BC 暴露，而紧急服务人员的暴露则最低。在驾驶过程中观察到暴露量的峰值，有时甚至超过 100μg/m。驾驶员暴露的最重要决定因素是在隧道中驾驶、交通拥堵、位置、周几和班次时间。关闭车窗驾驶可显著降低暴露量，这是驾驶员可以采取的简单行为改变。我们的研究结果强调了雇主和地方政策制定者可以采取的策略，以减少专业驾驶员接触交通相关空气污染。
