Population exposure to urban highway traffic emissions

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2005

Authors

Barros, N (Author) Other; Fontes, T (Author) Other; Bras, C (Author) Other; Cunha, LM (Author) FCUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: WIT TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTH

Pages: 221-230

3rd International Conference on the Impact of Environmental Factors on Health

Bologna, ITALY, SEP 14-16, 2005

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science > Earth science

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-64Q

DOI: 10.2495/ehr050231

Abstract (EN): In this paper is presented firstly the traffic and emission characterization of Via de Cintura Interna (VCI), an urban highway at Oporto city, Portugal, with more than 4 000 vehicles/hour during rush hours. Emission estimates were carried through on the basis of emission factors to road transport published in the Atmospheric Emission Inventory Guidebook. A weighed emission factor has beer, calculated for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and vehicle class, according to the Portuguese fleet composition (vehicles age, type of engine and average speed). Furthermore, during a three-week period, an outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring campaign was carried out in a domain around the VCl (100 m for each side), in particular near residential buildings. The results demonstrate that higher NO2 concentrations are seen in the sub-domain with higher circulation of heavy-duty vehicles and where buildings are adjacent to VCI hindering pollutant dispersion. Meteorological conditions, such as wind intensity and direction, temperature and solar radiation were monitorized too. The NO2 concentrations obtained by the monitoring campaign have been used to create scenarios of population exposure to NO2, having taken into account the time-activity patterns of residents. It was verified that higher exposures occur when the population lives in Boavista, in contrast with the favourable scenario that corresponds to life in Prelada and those working in Espinho city. The work and results presented in this paper are a part of the methodology used in the scope of the ImpactAir Project. This project, started in 2003 in Oporto city, has the main objective of evaluating the impact of urban highway (VCI) traffic emissions on air quality and the health of the local population.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10