Background. Epidemiological studies have shown that commuting in traffic is associated with adverse health effects and consequently, it is vital to investigate commuters' exposure to traffic-related air pollutants as ozone. To the best of our knowledge, few relative studies have been conducted in Greece. Aims. The present study aimed at monitoring the -residential and office- indoor, outdoor and personal levels of ozone for people living, working and commuting in Athens. The effect of using different means of transportation will be discussed. Methods. Seventeen people working in the same place (National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", situated in a suburb of Athens) participated in the study. Volunteers used one or more different means of transportation: bus, train, metro, suburban rail, car and walking. For each volunteer, residential (indoor and outdoor), office (indoor and outdoor) and personal (breathing zone) concentration of ozone have been measured for a period of five working days, using passive samplers (Radiello). The time scheduled and detailed activities for each volunteer have been recorded in questionnaires. Results. Preliminary results do not indicate any limit exceedance (Directive 2008/50/EC: 120μg/m3, WHO Air Quality Guidelines 2005:100μg/m3). Ozone levels from personal samples ranged between ＜MDL and 11μg/m3, while residential ozone concentration ranged from 0.40 to 14.1 μg/m3 indoors and from 26.1 to 54.2 μg/m3 outdoors. Outdoor ozone concentration in volunteers' common working environment was in average 49.3±9.7μg/m3, while the corresponding indoor (offices and laboratories) was in average 11.2±8.1μg/m3. Conclusions. Results analysis will focus on each volunteer's levels measured versus the time spent indoors (in each microenvironment), outdoors and while commuting. A discussion on the potential parameters (selected mean of transportation, selected root, area of living etc) contributing to exposure to ozone will be presented.
展开▼
