Traffic-related PM2.5 exposure and its cardiovascular effects among healthy commuters in Taipei, Taiwan. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chuang, Kai-Jen; Lin, Lian-Yu; Ho, Kin-Fai; Su, Chien-Tien
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 7(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Traffic-related air pollution -- PM2.5 -- Subway -- Scooter -- Cardiovascular effects
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aeaoa.2020.100084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2590-1621

Abstract

Abstract: The association between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) exposure and cardiovascular effects has been reported in previous epidemiological studies. However, the effects of different commuting modes on TRAP exposure and TRAP-induced cardiovascular effects in healthy adults during commuting are not well known. We recruited 120 healthy adults in Taipei, Taiwan. Each participant was classified by his/her own commuting style, including electrically powered subway, gasoline-powered bus, gasoline-powered car, gasoline-powered scooter, walking, and walking wearing a facemask. Six repeated measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), heart rate (HR), urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5 ), temperature, humidity and noise level were conducted for each participant between 09:00 am and 10:00 am in six different commuting modes. Mixed-effects models were used to investigate the association between PM2.5 and cardiovascular effects. The results showed that personal exposure to PM2.5 was associated with increased SBP (W: 6.5%; Sc: 7.9%), HR (W: 3.4%; Sc: 6.4%) and urinary 8-OHdG (W: 8.1%; Sc: 8.9%) in the walking (W) mode and scooter (Sc) mode. The PM2.5 level (Mean ± SD) was the highest in the scooter mode (53.6 ± 26.1 μg/m 3 ) but the lowest in the subway mode (21.7 ± 5.8 μg/m 3 ). The effects of PM2.5 on cardiovascular endpoints were not statistically significant in the subway mode. Additionally, no significant association was noted among PM2.5, BP and HR in the walking wearing a facemask mode. We concluded that traffic-related PM2.5 was associated with cardiovascular effects. We encourage commuters to commute using public rapid transit systems instead of riding scooters/motorcycles during rush hours. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Traffic-related PM2.5 was associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. Commuting modes modified the effects of PM2.5 on cardiovascular effects. PM2.5 level was the highest in the scooter mode but the lowest in the subway mode. Face mask could mitigate PM2.5 -induced cardiovascular effects in the walking mode.