The Exposure of Workers at a Busy Road Node to PM2.5: Occupational Risk Characterisation and Mitigation Measures
| Autor: | Obuks A. Ejohwomu, Majeed Oladokun, Olalekan S. Oshodi, Oyegoke Teslim Bukoye, David John Edwards, Nwabueze Emekwuru, Olumide Adenuga, Adegboyega Sotunbo, Ola Uduku, Mobolanle Balogun, Rose Alani |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2022 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 19; Issue 8; Pages: 4636 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH |
| ISSN: | 1660-4601 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/ijerph19084636 |
| Popis: | The link between air pollution and health burden in urban areas has been well researched. This has led to a plethora of effective policy-induced monitoring and interventions in the global south. However, the implication of pollutant species like PM2.5 in low middle income countries (LMIC) still remains a concern. By adopting a positivist philosophy and deductive reasoning, this research addresses the question, to what extent can we deliver effective interventions to improve air quality at a building structure located at a busy road node in a LMIC? This study assessed the temporal variability of pollutants around the university environment to provide a novel comparative evaluation of occupational shift patterns and the use of facemasks as risk control interventions. The findings indicate that the concentration of PM2.5, which can be as high as 300% compared to the WHO reference, was exacerbated by episodic events. With a notable decay period of approximately one-week, adequate protection and/or avoidance of hotspots are required for at-risk individuals within a busy road node. The use of masks with 80% efficiency provides sufficient mitigation against exposure risks to elevated PM2.5 concentrations without occupational shift, and 50% efficiency with at least ‘2 h ON, 2 h OFF’ occupational shift scenario. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|