Vehicular air pollution, playgrounds, and youth athletic fields.
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.
Rundell
Kenneth W
KW
Human Performance Laboratory, Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509, USA. rundell@marywood.edu
Caviston
Renee
R
Hollenbach
Amanda M
AM
Murphy
Kerri
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D004782:Environmental Health; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D013177:Sports; D013696:Temperature; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*; D014919:Wind
D000393:Air Pollutants; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D010126:Ozone