Estimation of Human Exposure of PM_2.5 by Indoor Source and Road Traffic in China

Abstract

 Health effect from particulate matter, especially PM_2.5 is the one of most critical issues in the world. In China, indoor use of solid fuel, such as coal and biomass, causes severe indoor exposure of PM_2.5. In addition, with rapid increase of automobile use, road transportation becomes a major source for outdoor exposure of PM_2.5 and also degrades the indoor air quality near the highway.
 In this study, indoor emission of PM_2.5 was estimated based on domestic energy consumption statistics. Also the PM_2.5 emissions from road traffic were estimated from traffic statistics and downscaling method to road segments. Then the concentration related to road transport was estimated by simplified roadside diffusion model.
 Finally, the micro-environmental exposure model was adapted to Chinese 31 provinces for age and attribution groups. As the results, the contribution from road transport was higher in urban area, while the contribution from indoor emission source was higher in rural area, with significant differences among sex and age groups.