title: Correlation of noise levels and particulate matter concentrations near two major freeways in Los Angeles, California.
abstract: Near-freeway environments are important from public health and environmental justice perspectives. This study investigated the spatial profile of and correlations between noise levels and particulate matter concentrations near two major freeways in Los Angeles, CA. Five minutes averages of A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level (LeqA), ultrafine particle (UFP) number concentrations, and fine particle (PM2.5) mass concentrations were measured concurrently at increasing distances from the freeways on four streets with or without sound wall. Under upwind conditions, UFP showed relatively low concentrations and no obvious gradient, while LeqA showed decay with increasing distance as it did under downwind conditions. Moderate correlations between LeqA and UFP were observed under downwind conditions on all four streets. The presence of a sound wall changed the linear relationship between LeqA and UFP. These data may be used to study the independent and synergistic health impacts of noise and air pollutants near roadways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Shi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Pu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: yifangzhu06@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yifang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D001336:Automobiles; D002140:California; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D015141:Los Angeles; D009624:Noise, Transportation; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Correlations; Freeway; Noise; PM(2.5); Sound wall; Ultrafine particles