The Exposure of Workers at a Busy Road Node to PM 2.5: Occupational Risk Characterisation and Mitigation Measures

Obuks A. Ejohwomu, Majeed Oladokun, Olalekan S. Oshodi, Oyegoke Teslim Bukoye, David John Edwards, Nwabueze Emekwuru, Olumide Adenuga, Adegboyega Sotunbo, Ola Uduku, Mobolanle Balogun and Rose Alani
Additional contact information
Obuks A. Ejohwomu: School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Majeed Oladokun: School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Olalekan S. Oshodi: School of Engineering and Built Environment, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
Oyegoke Teslim Bukoye: Department of Information, Decisions and Operations, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
David John Edwards: School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, UK
Nwabueze Emekwuru: Institute for Future Transport and Cities, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Olumide Adenuga: Department of Building, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
Adegboyega Sotunbo: Department of Building, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
Ola Uduku: School of Architecture, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZN, UK
Mobolanle Balogun: College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria
Rose Alani: Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos, Lagos 101017, Nigeria

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: The link between air pollution and health burden in urban areas has been well researched. This has led to a plethora of effective policy-induced monitoring and interventions in the global south. However, the implication of pollutant species like PM 2.5 in low middle income countries (LMIC) still remains a concern. By adopting a positivist philosophy and deductive reasoning, this research addresses the question, to what extent can we deliver effective interventions to improve air quality at a building structure located at a busy road node in a LMIC? This study assessed the temporal variability of pollutants around the university environment to provide a novel comparative evaluation of occupational shift patterns and the use of facemasks as risk control interventions. The findings indicate that the concentration of PM 2.5 , which can be as high as 300% compared to the WHO reference, was exacerbated by episodic events. With a notable decay period of approximately one-week, adequate protection and/or avoidance of hotspots are required for at-risk individuals within a busy road node. The use of masks with 80% efficiency provides sufficient mitigation against exposure risks to elevated PM 2.5 concentrations without occupational shift, and 50% efficiency with at least ‘ 2 h ON , 2 h OFF ’ occupational shift scenario.

Keywords: episodic event; elevated PM 2.5 concentration; low and middle income countries (LMIC); occupational exposure; risk characterisation; control intervention; reference concentration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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