Dataset Information

Black carbon and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in New York City's subway stations.

ABSTRACT: The New York City (NYC) subway is the main mode of transport for over 5 million passengers on an average weekday. Therefore, airborne pollutants in the subway stations could have a significant impact on commuters and subway workers. This study looked at black carbon (BC) and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in selected subway stations in Manhattan. BC and PM2.5 levels were measured in real time using a Micro-Aethalometer and a PDR-1500 DataRAM, respectively. Simultaneous samples were also collected on quartz filters for organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC) analysis and on Teflon filters for gravimetric and trace element analysis. In the underground subway stations, mean real time BC concentrations ranged from 5 to 23 ?g/m(3), with 1 min average peaks >100 ?g/m(3), while real time PM2.5 levels ranged from 35 to 200 ?g/m(3). Mean EC levels ranged from 9 to 12.5 ?g/m(3). At street level on the same days, the mean BC and PM2.5 concentrations were below 3 and 10 ?g/m(3), respectively. This study shows that both BC soot and PM levels in NYC's subways are considerably higher than ambient urban street levels and that further monitoring and investigation of BC and PM subway exposures are warranted.

SUBMITTER: Vilcassim MJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4270389 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Black carbon and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in New York City's subway stations.

Vilcassim M J Ruzmyn MJ Thurston George D GD Peltier Richard E RE Gordon Terry T

Environmental science & technology 20141126 24

The New York City (NYC) subway is the main mode of transport for over 5 million passengers on an average weekday. Therefore, airborne pollutants in the subway stations could have a significant impact on commuters and subway workers. This study looked at black carbon (BC) and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in selected subway stations in Manhattan. BC and PM2.5 levels were measured in real time using a Micro-Aethalometer and a PDR-1500 DataRAM, respectively. Simultaneous samples were al ...[more]

PMID: 25409007

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundExposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), an ambient air pollutant with mass-based standards promulgated under the Clean Air Act, and black carbon (BC), a common component of PM2.5, are both associated with cardiovascular health effects.ObjectivesTo elucidate whether BC is associated with distinct, or stronger, cardiovascular responses compared to PM2.5, we conducted a systematic review. We evaluated the associations of short- and long-term BC, or the related component elemental carbon (EC), with cardiovascular endpoints including heart rate variability, heart rhythm, blood pressure and vascular function, ST segment depression, repolarization abnormalities, atherosclerosis and heart function, in the context of what is already known about PM2.5.Data sourcesWe conducted a stepwise systematic literature search of the PubMed, Web of Science and TOXLINE databases and applied Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting our results.Study eligibility criteriaStudies reporting effect estimates for the association of quantitative measurements of ambient BC (or EC) and PM2.5, with relevant cardiovascular endpoints (i.e. meeting inclusion criteria) were included in the review. Included studies were evaluated for risk of bias in study design and results.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsRisk of bias evaluations assessed aspects of internal validity of study findings based on study design, conduct, and reporting to identify potential issues related to confounding or other biases. Study results are presented to facilitate comparison of the consistency of associations with PM2.5 and BC within and across studies.ResultsOur results demonstrate similar associations for BC (or EC) and PM2.5 with the cardiovascular endpoints examined. Across studies, associations for BC and PM2.5 varied in their magnitude and precision, and confidence intervals were generally overlapping within studies. Where differences in the magnitude of the association between BC or EC and PM2.5 within a study could be discerned, no consistent pattern across the studies examined was apparent.LimitationsWe were unable to assess the independence of the effect of BC, relative the effect of PM2.5, on the cardiovascular system, nor was information available to understand the impact of differential exposure misclassification.ConclusionsOverall, the evidence indicates that both BC (or EC) and PM2.5 are associated with cardiovascular effects but the available evidence is not sufficient to distinguish the effect of BC (or EC) from that of PM2.5 mass.

Dataset Information

Black carbon and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in New York City's subway stations.

Publications

Black carbon and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in New York City's subway stations.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets