Pollution Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Pollution, including details on effects of air pollution, respiratory illness, industry.

Vehicular air pollution, playgrounds, and youth athletic fields.

Rundell KW, Caviston R, Hollenbach AM, Murphy K

Human Performance Laboratory, Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509, USA. rundell@marywood.edu

In spite of epidemiological evidence concerning vehicular air pollution and adverse respiratory/cardiovascular health, many athletic fields and school playgrounds are adjacent to high traffic roadways and could present long-term health risks for exercising children and young adults. Particulate matter (PM(1),0.02-1.0 microm diameter) number counts were taken serially at four elementary school athletic/playground fields and at one university soccer field. Elementary school PM1 measurements were taken over 17 days; measurements at the university soccer field were taken over 62 days. The high-traffic-location elementary school field demonstrated higher 17-day [PM1] than the moderate and 2 low traffic elementary school fields (48,890 +/- 34,260, 16,730 +/- 10,550, 11,960 +/- 6680, 10,030 +/- 6280, respective mean counts; p < .05). The 62-day mean PM1 values at the university soccer field ranged from 115,000 to 134,000 particles cm(-3). Lowest mean values were recorded at measurement sites furthest from the highway (approximately 34,000 particles cm(-3)) and followed a second-order logarithmic decay (R2 = .999) with distance away from the highway. Mean NO2 and SO2 levels were below 100 ppb, mean CO was 0.33 +/- 1.87 ppm, and mean O3 was 106 +/- 47 ppb. Ozone increased with rising temperature and was highest in the warmer afternoon hours (R = .61). Although the consequence of daily recess play and athletic activities by school children and young athletes in high ambient [PM1] conditions has not yet been clearly defined, this study is a critical component to evaluating functional effects of chronic combustion-derived PM exposure on these exercising schoolchildren and young adults. Future studies should examine threshold limits and mechanistic actions of real-world particle exposure.

Published 23 May 2006 in Inhal Toxicol, 18(8): 541-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Pollution Research Today. All Rights Reserved.