A simple concept for GIS-based estimation of population exposure to primary fine particles from vehicular traffic and domestic wood combustion

Abstract

We introduce a simple concept called Population-based Time-Average Inhalation (PTAI) intended to evaluate the relative effect of emission sources on population exposure. The PTAI is defined as the sum of the individual time-average inhalations at a particular distance from an air pollution source. We demonstrate this concept by evaluating the PTAI's for primary fine particulate matter emission from vehicular traffic and domestic wood combustion in Finland. The PTAI's for these two pollution categories were evaluated by combining the emission volume and location data with population location data and with the time-average inhalation per person. The PTAI for the vehicular traffic was significantly higher than that for domestic wood combustion. The result suggests that there is a difference in the exposure potency (per emission volume) between these two sources. The PTAI differences between domestic wood combustion sub-sectors imply that there is a significant difference also in exposure potency between different sub-sectors.