Exposure to fine particulate air pollution in Prince George, British Columbia.

摘要

The relationship between ambient PM2.5 pollution and personal exposure was investigated in Prince George, BC. Personal exposures of 15 children and ambient concentrations on their respective school roofs were collected for a 6-week winter period in 2001. PM2.5 mass, sulphate (SO42-) and absorption coefficient (ABS) were determined (ABS as a surrogate for elemental carbon (EC)). SO 42- and EC personal/ambient ratios were used as tracers of ambient PM2.5 to estimate exposure to ambient sources. Both SO42- and EC ratios were found to be reliable tracers for exposure to particles of ambient origin. The strong association found between ambient-generated exposure and ambient concentration suggested ambient levels were an appropriate surrogate for exposure to ambient PM 2.5 sources. Equal contributions made by ambient and non-ambient sources to total PM2.5 exposure demonstrated the importance of managing ambient air quality and strongly supports the use of ambient data for a longitudinal health study in this city.