Use walking routes to avoid pollution exposure, says study
Posted on: 01/Oct/2015 9:49:22 AM
A study presented at the European Respiratory Society`s International Congress says that taking quieter roads while travelling helps one avoid the worst of air pollution. The study was conducted by researchers at the Blizard Institue at Queen Mary University of London.
Previous studies have shown that one of the components of air pollution is black carbon which is a result of incomplete combustion in diesel engines. This black carbon is what causes respiratory problems like asthma, and cardio vascular diseases.
The scientists used hand held monitors to measure the levels of black carbon particles. The levels were measured between the areas of Whitechapel, which is in East London, and Moorage which is near Central London. The study was conducted between 4 and 7 in the evening at the main roads. The same monitors were used in the walking routes in the area. The levels differed drastically.
Say the researchers, Since London is one of the most polluted cities for black carbon in Europe, ways that people might be able to reduce their own exposure are of interest, and we wanted to see whether walking quieter, side-street routes might help to do this. We found in this small study that people could avoid peaks in black carbon if they choose to walk a quieter route... In London, it is possible to reduce exposure to peaks of black carbon particles (mainly from diesel soot) by choosing to walk a less polluted route.
