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Perception and reality of particulate matter exposure in New York City taxi drivers

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 27, pages 221–226 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) have been linked to negative health risks, but exposure among professional taxi drivers is understudied. This pilot study measured drivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) about air pollution compared with direct measures of exposures. Roadside and in-vehicle levels of PM2.5 and BC were continuously measured over a single shift on each subject, and exposures compared with central site monitoring. One hundred drivers completed an air pollution KAB questionnaire, and seven taxicabs participated in preliminary in-cab air sampling. Taxicab PM2.5 and BC concentrations were elevated compared with nearby central monitoring. Average PM2.5 concentrations per 15-min interval were 4–49 μg/m3. BC levels were also elevated; reaching>10 μg/m3. Fifty-six of the 100 drivers surveyed believed they were more exposed than non-drivers; 81 believed air pollution causes health problems. Air pollution exposures recorded suggest that driver exposures would likely exceed EPA recommendations if experienced for 24 h. Surveys indicated that driver awareness of this was limited. Future studies should focus on reducing exposures and increasing awareness among taxi drivers.

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Acknowledgements

Work was performed for this study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York University School of Medicine. Data analysis and survey development for this study were supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities under Award Number R24MD008058. Exposure assessment was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences under Award Number ES000260. This study was also conducted with support from the U54 CCNY-MSKCC Partnership for Cancer Research, Training & Community Outreach - Partnership Community Outreach-Research-Education (PCORE) Core.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities Service, New York, New York, USA

    Francesca Gany, Sehrish Bari, Lakshmi Prasad, Jennifer Leng & Trevor Lee

  2. Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities Service, New York, New York, USA

    Francesca Gany & Jennifer Leng

  3. Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA

    Francesca Gany & Jennifer Leng

  4. Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA

    George D Thurston, Terry Gordon & Judith T Zelikoff

  5. South Asian Council for Social Services, Flushing, New York, USA

    Sudha Acharya

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  1. Francesca Gany
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Correspondence to Jennifer Leng.

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Gany, F., Bari, S., Prasad, L. et al. Perception and reality of particulate matter exposure in New York City taxi drivers. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 27, 221–226 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2016.23

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