Exposure Assessment of PM_(2.5) and Benzene in Bike Lanes in Taipei

摘要

Commuting by bicycle is encouraged in many urban areas. However, because of being close to roadways and traffic emissions, bike riders may be exposed to considerable amount of air pollutants. In this study, we aimed to characterize PM_(2.5) and benzene exposures along the bike lanes in Taipei City. The monitoring period was from July to early August in 2016. PM_(2.5) and benzene were monitored continuously at 12 different sites. Three sites were monitored simultaneously for one week. The results showed that the average concentrations ranged from 9.43 to 20.99 μg/m~3 and from 0.69 to 3.00 ppb for PM_(2.5) and benzene, respectively. The differences of average concentrations across sites monitored in the same week were less than 7 μg/m~3 for PM_(2.5) and about 1 ppb for benzene. Nevertheless, the correlations of the time series data have a wide range: R~2=0.02 —0.71 and 0.07 — 0.55 for PM_(2.5) and benzene, respectively, depending on the local characteristics and meteorological factors. In order to reduce the exposures for these commuters, the clean zone policy might be needed along the bike lanes.