Inequity in personal exposure to PM2.5 and BC in transport microenvironments: a study case in Barranquilla metropolitan region, Colombia
- 1Civil and Environmental engineering Department, Universidad del Norte
- 2The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London
Examining the distribution of both the generation and exposure to traffic-related air pollution across diverse population groups stands as a pivotal environmental justice issue. From a social equity perspective, numerous inquiries arise when scrutinizing commuting patterns within metropolitan areas. Everyday urban mobility entails repeated and sometimes prolonged exposure to traffic-related air pollutants. PM2.5 and Black Carbon have been identified as one of the major pollutants and established as a health hazard. As part of an interdisciplinary collaboration of experts on urban policy, air quality and transport studies the aim of this research is to assess inequity in patterns of personal exposure to PM2.5 and BC among users of different modes of transportation, including informal public transport. The case of study was Soledad, Colombia. Utilizing household surveys, we crafted user profiles for various modes of transportation, drawing insights from comprehensive data gathered through these surveys. Based on the analysis of mobility patterns, a cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate personal exposure to PM2.5 and BC during trips within the city. Pollutants were measured in real time, during peak, off-peak and weekend hours along typical routes defined by motorized three-wheelers drivers, which were taken as predefined routes for the other modes (car, bus). The average daily inhalation dose within the microenvironment was calculated differentiated by gender and age, according to the daily exposure factor. The findings unveiled significant disparities in PM2.5 and BC exposure, notably affecting adult women and individuals with disabilities, particularly those who frequently use motorized three-wheelers. Despite their lower exposure factor, these groups exhibited a higher dose of pollutants. This inequality underscores the crucial need to incorporate considerations of both accessibility and air quality in the formulation of sustainable urban transport policies.
Key words: inequity; PM2.5; eBC; low-cost sensors; urban mobility; personal exposure, transport modes, environmental justice.
How to cite: Agudelo Castañeda, D., Maldonado, S., Nieto, M. J., Davila, J., Arellana, J., and Oviedo, D.: Inequity in personal exposure to PM2.5 and BC in transport microenvironments: a study case in Barranquilla metropolitan region, Colombia, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-1178, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-1178, 2024.
