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Pure Appl. Chem., 2001, Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 137-145

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac200173010137

Human exposure to traffic pollution. Experience from Danish studies

Ole Hertel1*, Steen Solvang Jensen1, Helle Vibeke Andersen1, Finn Palmgren1, Peter Wåhlin1, Henrik Skov1, Ivan Vejsgaard Nielsen1, Mette Sørensen2, Steffen Loft2 and Ole Raaschou-Nielsen3

1 National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Atmospheric Environment, P. O. Box 358, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
2 Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Panum, Blegdamsvej 3, Copenhagen DK-2200 N, Denmark
3 Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Copenhagen East, Denmark

Abstract: Air pollution may have severe long-term as well as short-term health effects. The determination of possible links between pollution levels and impact on human health is, however, not a straightforward task. A key problem is the assessment of human exposure to ambient pollution levels. In later years, the possible role of particulate pollution as a health hazard has drawn major attention and is, therefore, the subject of research projects in many countries including Denmark. The present paper gives a review of recent and ongoing/planned Danish air pollution exposure studies. Furthermore, key results from Danish studies of ultrafine particles from urban traffic are outlined. The exposure studies show that air pollution models may be strong tools in impact assessment studies, especially when used in combination with personal exposure monitoring and application of biomarkers. Personal exposure measurements in Copenhagen indicate that indoor pollution levels may be very important for the personal exposure to fine fraction particles (PM2.5). Measurements with a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) in Danish urban areas show that number concentrations of ultrafine particles (<100 nm) in busy streets are strongly correlated with classic traffic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The number concentrations in urban Danish streets have decreased considerably between two campaigns in 1999 and 2000, apparently as a result of reductions in sulfur contents in Danish diesel fuels that took place in July 1999.

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