Relationships among personal,indoor and outdoor NO2 measurements

Using integrating NO₂ diffusion dosimeters, personal, indoor and outdoor exposures were measured for nine families in Topeka, Kansas. NO₂ exposures in homes that used gas for cooking were clearly different from those in homes that used electricity. The gas-cooking homes had indoor levels three times the outdoor levels. Members of the gas-cooking households had levels twice those of electric-cooking families and twice the outdoor levels. A linear model that includes outdoor concentrations and stove types explains 77% of the variance in observed NO₂ exposure. The differential NO₂ exposures in homes with and without gas stoves should be considered in epidemiologic studies of the health effects of air pollution.     

Biomonitoring Human Exposure to Household Air Pollution and Association with Self-reported Health Symptoms – A Stove Intervention Study in Peru

BackgroundHousehold air pollution (HAP) from indoor biomass stoves contains harmful pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and is a leading risk factor for global disease burden. We used biomonitoring to assess HAP exposure and association with self-reported symptoms in 334 non-smoking Peruvian women to evaluate the efficacy of a stove intervention program.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study within the framework of a community randomized control trial. Using urinary PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) as the exposure biomarkers, we investigated whether the intervention group (n = 155, with new chimney-equipped stoves) were less exposed to HAP compared to the control group (n = 179, with mostly open-fire stoves). We also estimated associations between the exposure biomarkers, risk factors, and self-reported health symptoms, such as recent eye conditions, respiratory conditions, and headache.ResultsWe observed reduced headache and ocular symptoms in the intervention group than the control group. Urinary 2-naphthol, a suggested biomarker for inhalation PAH exposure, was significantly lower in the intervention group (GM with 95% CI: 13.4 [12.3, 14.6] μg/g creatinine) compared to control group (16.5 [15.0, 18.0] μg/g creatinine). Stove type and/or 2-naphthol was associated with a number of self-reported symptoms, such as red eye (adjusted OR with 95% CI: 3.80 [1.32, 10.9]) in the past 48 h.ConclusionsEven with the improved stoves, the biomarker concentrations in this study far exceeded those of the general populations and were higher than a no-observed-genotoxic-effect-level, indicating high exposure and a potential for increased cancer risk in the population.     

Seasonal variation in outdoor,indoor, and personal air pollution exposures of women using wood stoves in the Tibetan Plateau: Baseline assessment for an energy intervention study

Cooking and heating with coal and biomass is the main source of household air pollution in China and a leading contributor to disease burden. As part of a baseline assessment for a household energy intervention program, we enrolled 205 adult women cooking with biomass fuels in Sichuan, China and measured their 48-h personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) in winter and summer. We also measured the indoor 48-h PM_2.5 concentrations in their homes and conducted outdoor PM_2.5 measurements during 101 (74) days in summer (winter). Indoor concentrations of CO and nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂) were measured over 48-h in a subset of ~ 80 homes. Women's geometric mean 48-h exposure to PM_2.5 was 80 μg/m³ (95% CI: 74, 87) in summer and twice as high in winter (169 μg/m³ (95% CI: 150, 190), with similar seasonal trends for indoor PM_2.5 concentrations (winter: 252 μg/m³; 95% CI: 215, 295; summer: 101 μg/m³; 95% CI: 91, 112). We found a moderately strong relationship between indoor PM_2.5 and CO (r = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.72), and a weak correlation between personal PM_2.5 and CO (r = 0.41, 95% CI: − 0.02, 0.71). NO₂/NO ratios were higher in summer (range: 0.01 to 0.68) than in winter (range: 0 to 0.11), suggesting outdoor formation of NO₂ via reaction of NO with ozone is a more important source of NO₂ than biomass combustion indoors. The predictors of women's personal exposure to PM_2.5 differed by season. In winter, our results show that primary heating with a low-polluting fuel (i.e., electric stove or wood-charcoal) and more frequent kitchen ventilation could reduce personal PM_2.5 exposures. In summer, primary use of a gaseous fuel or electricity for cooking and reducing exposure to outdoor PM_2.5 would likely have the greatest impacts on personal PM_2.5 exposure.     

Evaluation of genotoxic and non-genotoxic effects of organic air pollution using in vitro bioassays

In this study, organic extracts of total suspended particles (TSP) and the particulate matter (PM) with the size below 2.5 microm (PM(2.5)) combined with organic extracts of the gas phase (GP) collected at two urban and two background localities were analyzed with a bacterial genotoxicity test, SOS chromotest, and an in vitro test for the dioxin toxicity determination, using a modified cell-line of rat hepatoma H4IIE.luc. In addition, the samples of TSP and GP were analyzed for PAHs contents. The PAHs concentrations and both of the toxic activities at the urban localities were much higher than ones at the background localities. Predominantly, traffic was a source of the urban air pollution there which was also confirmed by the evaluation of portions of certain PAHs (BaP/BPE, PYR/BaP) at the localities. On the other hand, the background localities were apparently affected by a long-distance transport of the pollutants from urban and industrial centers. The results of the bioassays indicated potential health risks for the population exposed to the organic air pollutants, especially at the urban localities. Based on the collected samples, distribution of the organic pollutants with the toxic effects in the air was evaluated. The significant portion of the direct genotoxins was bound to the particles larger than 2.5 microm. On the contrary, the indirect genotoxins were bound predominantly to the particles with the size below 2.5 microm. However, in the urban air they may be also bound to the larger particles, as well. While the direct genotoxicity may be related with the presence of PAH-derivatives as well as some polar organic pollutants, the indirect genotoxicity is related with the detected carcinogenic PAHs. But besides the above specified pollutants it is also necessary to consider the presence of other toxic components of the complex organic air pollution mixture that may also show potential health risks. This study demonstrates application of the combination of the screening bioassays for the evaluation of organic air pollution and identification of its health risks.     

A review of traffic-related air pollution exposure assessment studies in the developing world

Exposure assessment studies in the developing world are important. Although recent years have seen an increasing number of traffic-related pollution exposure studies, exposure assessment data on this topic are still limited. Differences among measuring methods and a lack of strict quality control in carrying out exposure assessment make it difficult to generalize and compare findings between studies. In this article, exposure assessment studies carried out in the developing world on several traffic-related air pollutants are reviewed. These pollutants include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In addition, it discusses advantages and disadvantages of various monitoring methods (ambient fixed-site monitoring, microenvironment monitoring, and personal exposure assessment using portable samplers) for these pollutants in exposure assessment studies. Also included in this paper is a brief introduction of standards for these pollutants in ambient air or in occupational settings established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The review ends with a summary of the limitations and gaps in recent studies and suggestions for future research in the developing world.     

Characteristics of PM10, PM2.5, CO2 and CO monitored in interiors and platforms of subway train in Seoul, Korea

This study was performed to investigate the concentration of PM(10) and PM(2.5) inside trains and platforms on subway lines 1, 2, 4 and 5 in Seoul, KOREA. PM(10), PM(2.5), carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and carbon monoxide (CO) were monitored using real-time monitoring instruments in the afternoons (between 13:00 and 16:00). The concentrations of PM(10) and PM(2.5) inside trains were significantly higher than those measured on platforms and in ambient air reported by the Korea Ministry of Environment (Korea MOE). This study found that PM(10) levels inside subway lines 1, 2 and 4 exceeded the Korea indoor air quality (Korea IAQ) standard of 150 microg/m(3). The average percentage that exceeded the PM(10) standard was 83.3% on line 1, 37.9% on line 2 and 63.1% on line 4, respectively. PM(2.5) concentration ranged from 77.7 microg/m(3) to 158.2 microg/m(3), which were found to be much higher than the ambient air PM(2.5) standard promulgated by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) (24 h arithmetic mean: 65 microg/m(3)). The reason for interior PM(10) and PM(2.5) being higher than those on platforms is due to subway trains in Korea not having mechanical ventilation systems to supply fresh air inside the train. This assumption was supported by the CO(2) concentration results monitored in tube of subway that ranged from 1153 ppm to 3377 ppm. The percentage of PM(2.5) in PM(10) was 86.2% on platforms, 81.7% inside trains, 80.2% underground and 90.2% at ground track. These results indicated that fine particles (PM(2.5)) accounted for most of PM(10) and polluted subway air. GLM statistical analysis indicated that two factors related to monitoring locations (underground and ground or inside trains and on platforms) significantly influence PM(10) (p<0.001, R(2)=0.230) and PM(2.5) concentrations (p<0.001, R(2)=0.172). Correlation analysis indicated that PM(10), PM(2.5), CO(2) and CO were significantly correlated at p<0.01 although correlation coefficients were different. The highest coefficient was 0.884 for the relationship between PM(10) and PM(2.5).     

The emission inventory of atmospheric industrial pollution sources of the five cities in Zhejiang Province

The amount of several air pollutants emitted in some cities including Hangzhou,Ningbo,Huzhou,Shaoxing and Jiaxing of Zhejiang Province is based on pollution source census data of Zhejiang Province in 2010.This paper focused on the release of air pollutants such as NO_(x2),SO_2,CO,PM2.5,PM10 and VOC,and calculated the total amount of those air pollutants.It analyzed air pollutant emission factors and found that the electricity and heat production industry released the largest amount of pollutants.     

Environmental and health impacts from the introduction of improved wood stoves: evidence from a field experiment in Guatemala

Improved wood-burning stoves offer a possible solution that can simultaneously impact both problems of deforestation and problems of respiratory health in developing countries. We carried out a field experiment in which new fuel-efficient woodstoves were allocated in a Guatemalan village via the use of a lottery. A 2008 baseline survey was carried out on 2,148 individuals in 351 households, and then a follow-up survey was carried out in 2009, 4 months after households received the stoves. We found that households with the new stoves reduced wood consumption by an average of 59.1%. We also found indications of reductions in indoor air related health problems, where point estimates indicate a significant reduction in reported respiratory symptoms by 48.6% among women and 63.3% among children.     

The emission inventory of atmospheric industrial pollution sources of the five cities in Zhejiang Province

The amount of several air pollutants emitted in some cities including Hangzhou, Ningbo, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jiaxing of Zhejiang Province is based on pollution source census data of Zhejiang Province in 2010. This paper focused on the release of air pollutants such as NO_x, SO₂, CO, PM2.5, PM10 and VOC, and calculated the total amount of those air pollutants. It analyzed air pollutant emission factors and found that the electricity and heat production industry released the largest amount of pollutants.     

南昌市环境空气污染时空变化特征及影响因素研究

选取2014~2017年南昌市不同时间尺度AQI及主要空气污染物数据，利用GIS技术、神经网络分析、后向轨迹模型及地统计分析方法，分析了南昌市环境空气污染时空变化特征及影响因素。结果表明，南昌市近年来空气质量总体变化不大，空气质量等级以良为主，占全年比例为57%~61%。但首要污染物变化较大，即PM2.5比例显著下降，NO2和O3比例显著上升，PM10变化不大。南昌市空气污染季节变化显著，冬春季空气质量较差，以PM10、PM2.5污染为主，夏季空气质量最好，以O3污染为主。空气污染周变化以周末及周一污染较重、周四污染最轻，说明南昌市空气污染除了与群众出行习惯有关，还存在其他影响因素。南昌市空气质量日变化呈双峰型（9:00~11:00和20:00~22:00），主要受上、下班高峰期带来的交通尾气影响。南昌市空气污染空间变化呈典型的“郊区-市区”分布，其中AQI、PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NO2、CO值均以市区较高、郊区较低，而O3的空间分布规律正好相反，这主要与城区NOx排放较多，O3易与其迅速反应而消耗有关。后向轨迹聚类分析结果表明，来自本地的短轨迹气团占比高，对PM2.5、PM10、NO2、O3的影响大。气象因素上，PM2.5、PM10、NO2受相对湿度影响较大，O3受温度影响较大。     

贵阳市主城区空气质量指数时空分布特征

为了解贵阳市主城区空气质量指数的时间分布和空间分布特征，采用时间序列法和插值法统计分析了2013~2015年贵阳市9个空气自动监测点SO2、NO2、PM10、PM25、CO的监测数据。结果表明：2013~2015年期间，贵阳市主城区空气质量整体良好,优于Ⅱ级空气质量标准，IAQISO2、IAQINO2、IAQIPM10、IAQIPM25、IAQICO的年均值呈现降低趋势, 空气污染物得到一定的控制；季节变化和月变化分析表现出冬季空气质量最差，夏季最好的特征。春节半月ISO2、IAQINO2、IAQIPM10、IAQIPM25的均值好于冬季均值，反映了工业和交通污染源的主控作用。空间分布上，IAQISO2、IAQINO2、IAQIPM10、IAQIPM25、IAQICO呈现“市区高，郊区低”的分布特征，空气质量指数较高的区域集中在贵阳市主城区中部和东北部     

A preliminary survey of household and personal carbon dioxide emissions in Ireland

A model specifically designed for Ireland was used to measure CO(2)e emissions (CO(2), CH(4) and N(2)O) from Irish households for the first time. A total of 103 Irish households with occupancy rates varying between 1 and 6 (mean 2.9) were surveyed. The average annual household emission was found to be 16.55 t CO(2)e y(-1), which is equivalent to an average personal emission of 5.70 t CO(2)e Ca(-1) y(-1) comprising 42.2% related to home energy use, 35.1% to transport, 20.6% to air travel and other fuel intensive leisure activities, and just 2.1% associated with household waste disposal. Air travel accounts for an average personal emission of 1.152 t CO(2)e Ca(-1) y(-1), although this is highest in single and two person households at 1.693 and 2.227 t CO(2)e Ca(-1) y(-1) respectively. Household energy consumption becomes more efficient when occupancy rate increases. The most energy efficient homes in the survey were terraced with a natural gas heating systems. The least efficient were detached house with oil fuelled heating system.     

Cancer risk assessment of selected hazardous air pollutants in Seattle

The risk estimates calculated from the conventional risk assessment method usually are compound specific and provide limited information for source-specific air quality control. We used a risk apportionment approach, which is a combination of receptor modeling and risk assessment, to estimate source-specific lifetime excess cancer risks of selected hazardous air pollutants. We analyzed the speciated PM(2.5) and VOCs data collected at the Beacon Hill in Seattle, WA between 2000 and 2004 with the Multilinear Engine to first quantify source contributions to the mixture of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in terms of mass concentrations. The cancer risk from exposure to each source was then calculated as the sum of all available species' cancer risks in the source feature. We also adopted the bootstrapping technique for the uncertainty analysis. The results showed that the overall cancer risk was 6.09 x 10(-5), with the background (1.61 x 10(-5)), diesel (9.82 x 10(-6)) and wood burning (9.45 x 10(-6)) sources being the primary risk sources. The PM(2.5) mass concentration contributed 20% of the total risk. The 5th percentile of the risk estimates of all sources other than marine and soil were higher than 110(-6). It was also found that the diesel and wood burning sources presented similar cancer risks although the diesel exhaust contributed less to the PM(2.5) mass concentration than the wood burning. This highlights the additional value from such a risk apportionment approach that could be utilized for prioritizing control strategies to reduce the highest population health risks from exposure to HAPs.     

Using air pollution based community clusters to explore air pollution health effects in children

To study respiratory health effects of long-term exposure to ambient air pollutant mixture, we observed 7058 school children 5-16 years of age living in the four Chinese cities of Lanzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. These children were enrolled from elementary schools located in eight districts, one urban district and one suburban district in each of the above cities. Ambient levels of PM(2.5), PM(10-2.5), total suspended particles (TSP), SO(2), and NO(x) were measured in these districts from 1993 to 1996. Based on a cluster analysis of arithmetic mean concentrations of PM(2.5), PM(10-2.5), (TSP-PM(10)), SO(2), and NO(x), we classified these children into four ordinal categories of exposure to ambient air pollutant mixtures. We tested for exposure-response relationships using logistic regression models, controlling for relevant covariates. We observed monotonic, positive relationships of exposure to the pollutant mixture with prevalence rates of cough with phlegm and wheeze. Other outcomes were not associated with the exposure in a monotonic exposure-response pattern. Even so, odds ratios for cough, phlegm, bronchitis, and asthma in the higher exposure district clusters were all higher than in the lowest exposure district cluster. We found evidence that exposure to the pollutant mixtures had adverse effects on children living in the four Chinese cities.     

A review of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their human health effects

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of organic compounds comprised of two or more fused benzene rings arranged in various configurations. PAHs are widespread environmental contaminants formed as a result of incomplete combustion of organic materials such as fossil fuels. The occurrence of PAHs in ambient air is an increasing concern because of their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Although emissions and allowable concentrations of PAHs in air are now regulated, the health risk posed by PAH exposure suggests a continuing need for their control through air quality management. In light of the environmental significance of PAH exposure, this review offers an overview of PAH properties, fates, transformations, human exposure, and health effects (acute and chronic) associated with their emission to the atmosphere. Biomarkers of PAH exposure and their significance are also discussed.     

Source apportionment of fine carbonaceous particles by positive matrix factorization at Gosan background site in East Asia

Fine particle (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 microm) samples were collected during six intensive measurement periods from November 2001 to August 2003 at Gosan, Jeju Island, Korea, which is one of the representative background sites in East Asia. Chemical composition of these aerosol samples including major ion components, trace elements, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed to study the impact of long-range transport of anthropogenic aerosol. Aerosol chemical composition data were then analyzed using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) technique in order to identify the possible sources and estimate their contribution to particulate matter mass. Fourteen sources were then resolved including soil dust, fresh sea salt, transformed natural source, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, secondary organic carbon, diesel vehicle, gasoline vehicle, fuel oil combustion, biomass burning, coal combustion, municipal incineration, metallurgical emission source, and volcanic emission. The PMF analysis results of source contributions showed that the natural sources including soil dust, fresh and aged sea salt, and volcanic emission contributed to about 20% of the measured PM(2.5) mass. Other primary anthropogenic sources such as diesel and gasoline vehicle, coal and fuel oil combustion, biomass burning, municipal incineration, metallurgical source contributed about 34% of PM(2.5) mass. Especially, the secondary aerosol mainly involved with sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and organic carbon contributed to about 39% of the PM(2.5) mass.     

长江中游城市群PM2.5时空特征及影响因素研究

近年来，伴随着工业化和城市化进程的加快，长江中游城市群灰霾天气持续增多，空气污染问题日益突出。基于2015年1月至2016年2月长江中游城市群189个空气质量监测站点的PM2.5逐时监测数据，采用普通克里金插值、探索性空间数据分析法和相关系数法，从年、季、月尺度上分析了PM2.5的空间分布格局及其影响因素。结果表明：（1）在年尺度上，长江中游城市群PM2.5浓度空间分布总体呈现出明显的北部高南部低，局部地区略有突出的特征，该区PM2.5浓度年均值为55.28 μg/m3，其中湖北省PM2.5的年均值为三省市最高，为68.17 μg/m3；其次为湖南省，年均值为53.66 μg/m3；江西省PM2.5的年均值较小，为44.01 μg/m3。（2）在季节尺度上，长江中游城市群PM2.5浓度表现出冬春季高，夏秋季低的现势性，这与区域内夏季高温多雨、冬季低温少雨的气候条件密切相关。（3）长江中游城市群PM2.5月浓度变化大致呈U形分布，1月份PM2.5浓度最高， 1~6月份，PM2.5浓度呈逐步下降趋势， 6~8月份，区域PM2.5浓度处于“U”字的谷底。（4）NO2、CO是影响PM2.5浓度的两项主控大气污染物，而降水量和相对湿度则是影响PM2.5浓度的两个重要气象因素。 关键词： PM2.5浓度；时空特征；气象因素；长江中游城市群     

A pilot study to assess ground-level ambient air concentrations of fine particles and carbon monoxide in urban Guatemala

Ambient concentrations and the elemental composition of particles less than 2.5 microm in diameter (PM2.5), as well as carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations, were measured at ground-level in three Guatemalan cities in summer 1997: Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, and Antigua. This pilot study also included quantitative and qualitative characterizations of microenvironment conditions, e.g., local meteorology, reported elsewhere. The nondestructive X-ray fluorescence elemental analysis (XRF) of Teflon filters was conducted. The highest integrated average PM2.5. concentrations in an area (zona) of Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango were 150 microg m(-3) (zona 12) and 120 microg m(-3) (zona 2), respectively. The reported integrated average PM2.5 concentration for Antigua was 5 microg m(-3). The highest observed half-hour and monitoring period average CO concentrations in Guatemala City were 10.9 ppm (zona 8) and 7.2 ppm (zonas 8 and 10), respectively. The average monitoring period CO concentration in Antigua was 2.6 ppm. Lead and bromine concentrations were negligible, indicative of the transition to unleaded fuel use in cars and motorcycles. The XRF results suggested sources of air pollution in Guatemala, where relative rankings varied by city and by zonas within each city, were fossil fuel combustion emitting hydrocarbons, combustion of sulfurous conventional fuels, soil/roadway dust, farm/agricultural dust, and vehicles (evaportion of gas, parts' wear).     

Mutagenic properties of PM2.5 air pollution in the Padana Plain (Italy) before and in the course of XX Winter Olympic Games of "Torino 2006"

PM2.5 is one of the most important aspects of environmental health. This air pollutant is breathable and it is implicated in several chronic adverse health effects such as the decrease of respiratory functionality and cancer. Several in vitro bioassays are able to predict the mutagenic/carcinogenic activity of the environmental pollutants and mixtures of them. In this study PM2.5 air pollution was daily monitored in three cities located in the Northern part of Italy and the mutagenic properties of the PM2.5 organic extracts were also assessed. Samplings lasted 14 months and cover the period of the Winter Olympic Games of "Torino 2006". In this work, the levels of PM2.5, its mutagenic properties (detected with Salmonella typhimurium assay), the role of the Olympic Games as environmental factor and some meteorological data are discussed. The mean concentration of PM2.5 measured in Torino was 45.4 (+/-30.6) microg/m(3), in Pavia 37.6 (+/-25.6) microg/m(3), in Verona 43.1 (+/-28.5) microg/m(3). Findings of the monthly pool bioassay were in Torino 107 (+/-104) net revertans/m(3), in Pavia 108 (+/-89) net revertans/m(3), in Verona 128 (+/-109) net revertans/m(3). The Olympic Games period data show that PM2.5 pollution and its load of mutagenic potential are different and partially independent phenomena. The Olympic Games had not a great impact on the PM2.5 pollution. The exclusive PM2.5 gravimetric analysis shows a potential human risk if compared with the latest international guide values but it does not describe exhaustively the human health risk associated to the presence of this particular air pollutant. Moreover, the chemical and biological activity qualification of the PM organic extracts as a whole, can instead improve the knowledge.     

Characteristics and health implications of fine and coarse particulates at roadside, urban background and rural sites in UK

Recent studies have pointed to evidence that fine particles in the air could be significant contributors to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and mortality. Epidemiologists looking at the health effects of particulate pollution need more information from various receptor locations to improve the understanding of this problem. Detailed information on temporal, spatial and size distributions of particulate pollution in urban areas is also important for air quality modellers as well as being an aid to decision and policy makers of local authorities. This paper presents a detailed analysis of temporal and seasonal variation of PM(10) and PM(2.5) levels at one urban roadside, one urban background and one rural monitoring location. Levels of PM(10), PM(2.5) and coarse fraction of particulates are compared. In addition, particulate levels are compared with NO(2) and CO concentrations. The study concludes that PM(10) and PM(2.5) are closely related at urban locations. Diurnal variation in PM(2.5)/PM(10) ratio shows the influence of vehicular emission and movement on size distribution. This ratio is higher in winter than in summer, indicating a build-up or longer residence time of finer particulates or washout due to wet weather in winter. In the second part of this study, a disease burden analysis is carried out based on the dose-response relationships recommended by the UK Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution. The disease burden analysis indicates that if Marylebone Road (MR) levels of PM(10) were prevalent all over London, it will result in around 2.5% increase in death rates due to all causes. Whereas, if Bloomsbury (BB) levels were prevalent in London, which is more likely to occur as this is more representative of the urban background environment to which people in London are likely to be exposed, the corresponding increase would be around 1.7%. Considering this, in London, at Bloomsbury levels, 973 deaths and 1515 respiratory hospital admissions (RHA) are attributable to PM(10) while 2140 RHA are attributable to NO(2). After deducting the disease burden due to background levels at Rochester (RC), PM(10) emission caused by anthropogenic activities in London equates to 273 additional deaths and 410 additional RHA, while NO(2) account for additional 1205 incidences of RHA.