Ambient nitrogen dioxide and distance from a major highway.
The primary objective of this pilot study was to measure the variation of ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) concentration with increasing distance from a major highway in Montréal, Canada, in order to assess the validity of distance from the roadways as a surrogate for exposure to traffic-related air pollution in epidemiologic studies. A total of 31 two-sided Ogawa passive samplers (using triethanolamine-impregnated filters as an absorbent) were installed for 7 days in groups of two or three along an axis perpendicular to a major highway where traffic density exceeds 100000 vehicles/day. Distances ranged from 0 to 1310 m from the highway. Concentrations of NO(2) ranged from 11.9 to 29.3 ppb, and decreased significantly with increasing logarithmic distance from the highway (P<0.0001). Concentrations of NO(2) were also significantly lower upwind than downwind relative to the highway (P=0.0012). These findings indicate that distance from highways may be a valid surrogate for traffic-related air pollution.
Gilbert
Nicolas L
NL
Air Health Effects Division, Health Canada, 7th Floor, 275 Slater St., PL 3807B, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2, Canada.
Woodhouse
Sandy
S
Stieb
David M
DM
Brook
Jeffrey R
JR