Mobile monitoring of air and noise pollution in Philadelphia neighborhoods during summer 2017. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shakya, Kabindra M.; Kremer, Peleg; Henderson, Kate; McMahon, Meghan; Peltier, Richard E.; Bromberg, Samantha; Stewart, Justin
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 255(2019)Part 1
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: PM2.5 -- Black carbon -- Noise pollution -- Philadelphia -- Residential neighborhood; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113195
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Mobile monitoring is a useful approach for measuring intra-urban variation of air pollution in urban environments. In this study, we used a mobile monitoring approach to study the spatial-temporal variability of air and noise pollution in urban neighborhoods of Philadelphia. During summer 2017, we used portable instruments to measure PM2.5, black carbon (BC), and noise levels along 5 km paths in four residential neighborhoods (Tioga, Mill Creek, Chestnut Hill, and Northern Liberties) and one commercial district (Center City) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. A total of 62 sets of measurements were made at three different times of day (during morning rush hour, mid-afternoon, and during afternoon rush hour) from June 5 to July 7, 2017. Spatially, there was a significant difference in PM2.5 concentrations among the four residential neighborhoods. Overall, the Chestnut Hill neighborhood had the highest PM2.5 concentrations (13.25 ± 6.89 μg/m 3 ), followed by Tioga (9.58 ± 4.83 μg/m 3 ), Northern Liberties (7.02 ± 4.17 μg/m 3 ), and Mill Creek (3.9 ± 4.5 μg/m 3 ). There was temporal variability of pollutants depending on the neighborhood; Northern Liberties demonstrated the highest temporal variability in these data. The highest PM2.5 (18.86 ± 3.17 mg/m 3 ) was measured in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood during mid-afternoon. Mean PM2.5, BC, and noise levels based on mobile measurements at Philadelphia during summer 2017 were 8.41 ± 4.31 μg/m 3, 0.99 ± 0.44 μg C/m 3, and 62.01 ± 3.20 dBA, respectively. Environmental noise showed the highest temporal variation of the monitored components for 3 time periods. In general, tree cover showed a weak and inconclusive association with particulate pollution levels. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: PM2.5 was significantly different among 4 residential neighborhoods. Black carbon demonstrated high temporal variability based on neighborhoods. Noise levels (62 ± 3 dBA) could be of concern at neighborhoods. Mill Creek (low buildings & open structure) had the lowest air pollution levels. Tree cover and pollutants were negatively associated in most locations. Abstract : Significant difference in particulate pollution across five Philadelphia neighborhoods; Mill Creek with low buildings, open structure and wide streets had the lowest level of particulate pollution.