Exposure to particulate matter, CO2, CO, VOCs among bus drivers in Bangkok.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the exposure of particulate matter CO2, CO, VOCs among Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) Bus Drivers.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The exposure of 60 bus drivers to PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, CO2, CO was monitored for full shifts on three routes of air-conditioned (A/C) and non-A/C buses.

RESULTS

The average PM2.5 exposure concentrations among non-A/C bus drivers (323.81 mg/m3) were significantly higher than that of A/C bus drivers (206.46 mg/m3) (p-value = 0.016). The average benzene, toluene and xylene exposure concentrations were 429.15, 225.11, 127.60 mg/m for non-A/C bus drivers. The average CO2 levels in A/C buses were significantly higher than those in non-A/C buses (p-value < 0.001). The CO levels in non-A/C buses were significantly higher than those in A/C buses (p-value = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

The bus drivers were exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants. The increase of ventilation and cleaning of buses will reduce the exposure of air pollutants.