Investigating Age-Specific Respiratory Deposition Doses of Traffic-Related Particles at Urban Intersections in Pune, India

One of the significant environmental concerns in urban areas is particle pollution in the air. Traffic intersections have been identified as hotspots for this problem, and it is essential to study the exposure levels of particle mass concentration (PMC), particle size distribution, and respiratory deposition doses for better understanding and control. This study monitored two high-density traffic intersections in Pune, India, for size-segregated PMC and particle number count (PNC) using the Grimm aerosol spectrometer. The study found that PMC and PNC exhibit considerable variability, with a 50–62% increase in the morning compared to the evening. The particle had an unimodal distribution with the highest PM_2.5. Mass and number-based respiratory deposited doses (RDDs) of different PM sizes in human airways were also calculated for various age groups, including infants, children, adults, and the elderly. The study found that elevated RDDs were observed for PM in the morning than in the evening, with PM₁₀ having the highest mass-based deposition doses in human airways. In contrast, PM_2.5 had the highest deposition in terms of number-based deposition. The PM₁₀ has the most significant impact on extrathoracic (ET), tracheobronchial (TB), and alveolar (AL) regions, increasing with age, with the elderly population being the most exposed, subsequently by adults, children, and infants. The findings of this investigation provide critical insights into the health risks posed by traffic-related PM pollution. Effective policies and measures must be implemented to reduce PM emissions and protect public health.

Graphical Abstract