Ejohwomu, Obuks A, Oladokun, Majeed, Oshodi, Olalekan S, Bukoye, Oyegoke Teslim, Edwards, David John, Emekwuru, Nwabueze, Adenuga, Olumide, Sotunbo, Adegboyega, Uduku, Ola 
ORCID: 0000-0001-5005-2587, Balogun, Mobolanle et al (show 1 more authors)
(2022)
The Exposure of Workers at a Busy Road Node to PM<sub>2.5</sub>: Occupational Risk Characterisation and Mitigation Measures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 19 (8).
4636-.
|
Text
ijerph-1632971.pdf - Published version Download (1MB) | Preview |
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<sub>2.5</sub> 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<sub>2.5</sub>, 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<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations without occupational shift, and 50% efficiency with at least '<i>2 h ON</i>, <i>2 h OFF</i>' occupational shift scenario.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | episodic event, elevated PM2.5 concentration, low and middle income countries (LMIC), occupational exposure, risk characterisation, control intervention, reference concentration |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of the Arts |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Apr 2022 07:27 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Oct 2023 12:50 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/ijerph19084636 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3153834 |
Dimensions
Dimensions
