[Exposure to air pollutants in the city of Bari].
BACKGROUND
Air pollution leads to increased levels of morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in populations living in urban environments.


OBJECTIVE
Our study tested the possibility of using sampling techniques that are typical of industrial hygiene to measure exposure to atmospheric pollutants and using personal samplers for concentrations of certain pollutants to which an ordinary resident of Bari is exposed on a daily basis.


METHODS
We monitored dusts (PM10, PM2.5), CO, CO2, humidity, ventilation and noise, by dynamical sampling along a route on foot, bicycle, motorbike and automobile and then compared the results with data provided by fixed stations distributed in the municipality of Bari.


RESULTS
By comparing our data with those values provided for by the law, we found out that the concentrations of all pollutants resulted to be higher than 50 microg/m3, with the exception of the measurements carried out along the route by car. The measurements of PM2.5 were, on average, similar to the values of PM10 for the route on foot, but they were totally different for the measurements made along the route by car, bicycle and motorbike. Moreover, comparing our data with those obtained from the municipal network of fixed stations, we found that results provided by our measurements were higher for PM10.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering that compliance with the limits set by law refers to average values over 24 hours, we can conclude that those hours in which pollutant concentration reaches a risk level shall be considered especially regarding groups of people with respiratory disorders.
Cassano
F
F
DIMIMP, Cattedra di Igiene Industriale, Università degli Studi di Bari. f.cassano@medlav.uniba.it
Bavaro
P
P
Mancini
Annalisa
A
Minenna
Maria Teresa
MT
Bobbio
Elena
E
Dentamaro
Antonella
A
Aloise
Ingrid
I
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001642:Bicycling; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007558:Italy; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009622:Noise; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation; D014504:Urban Health; D016138:Walking
D000393:Air Pollutants; D004391:Dust; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide