Exposure to particulate matter, CO2, CO, VOCs among bus drivers in Bangkok

Abstract

Objective: To measure the exposure of particulate matter, CO 2 , CO, VOCs among Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) Bus Drivers. Material and Method: The exposure of 60 bus drivers to PM 2.5 , PM 10 , VOCs, CO 2 , CO was monitored for full shifts on three routes of air-conditioned (A/C) and non-A/C buses. Results: The average PM 2.5 exposure concentrations among non-A/C bus drivers (323.81 mg/m 3 ) were significantly higher than that of A/C bus drivers (206.46 mg/m 3 ) (p-value = 0.016). The average benzene, toluene and xylene exposure concentrations were 429.15, 225.11, 127.60 mg/m 3 for non-A/C bus drivers. The average CO 2 levels in A/C buses were significantly higher than those in non-A/C buses (p-value < 0.001). The CO levels in non-A/C buses were significantly higher than those in A/C buses (p-value = 0.037). Conclusion: The bus drivers were exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants. The increase of ventilation and cleaning of buses will reduce the exposure of air pollutants.