Author(s)

Alessandro Borgini^1*, Cristian Ricci², Martina Bertoldi¹, Paolo Crosignani¹, Andrea Tittarelli¹

¹Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Cancer Registry and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Via Venezian 1, Milan, Italy.
²Institut für Epidemiologie und Praventivmedizin, Universitat Regensburg Fakultat für Medizin, Regensburg, Germany.

Epidemiological studies show that long-term exposure to PM is associated with an increased risk of cancer. The EuroLifeNet study measured the personal exposure to PM_2.5 in 90 pupils attending three schools in Milan, using a portable nephelometer, over a three-week period spanning November and December 2006. Background levels explained 40% of the variability of the exposure. Methods: As a second part of that study we analyzed the role of different microenvironments as determinants of personal exposure to PM_2.5. Results: Exposure was influenced by the time of day, zone of the city and different microenvironments. Exposure was higher indoors than out, and indoors it was higher in the kitchen, particularly during cooking. In outdoor environments exposure was higher at bus stops where road traffic was heavy. Conclusions: Even though background concentration can be a good predictor of personal exposure to PM, students’ personal exposure is strongly influenced by different microenvironments and should be considered in population studies. The EuroLifeNet experience gives a contribution to personal exposure measure methodology.

Personal Exposure, Air Pollution, Fine Particles, Students, Schools, Indoor/Outdoor, Microenvironments

Borgini, A. , Ricci, C. , Bertoldi, M. , Crosignani, P. and Tittarelli, A. (2015) The EuroLifeNet Study: How Different Microenvironments Influence Personal Exposure to PM_2.5 among High-School Students in Milan. Open Journal of Air Pollution, 4, 16-25. doi: 10.4236/ojap.2015.41003.