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Ultrafine particle levels at an international port of entry between the US and Mexico: Exposure implications for users, workers, and neighbors

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 23, pages 289–298 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Exposure to diesel-emitted particles has been linked to increased cancer risk and cardiopulmonary diseases. Because of their size (<100 nm), exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs) emitted from heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDV) might result in greater health risks than those associated with larger particles. Seasonal UFP levels at the International Bridge of the Americas, which connects the US and Mexico and has high HDDV traffic demands, were characterized. Hourly average UFP concentrations ranged between 1.7 × 103/cc and 2.9 × 105/cc with a mean of 3.5 × 104/cc. Wind speeds <2 m s−1 and temperatures <15 °C were associated with particle number concentrations above normal conditions. The presence of HDDV had the strongest impact on local UFP levels. Varying particle size distributions were associated with south- and northbound HDDV traffic. Peak exposure occurred on weekday afternoons. Although in winter, high exposure episodes were also observed in the morning. Particle number concentrations were estimated to reach background levels at 400 m away from traffic. The populations exposed to UFP above background levels include law enforcement officers, street vendors, private commuters, and commercial vehicle drivers as well as neighbors on both sides of the border, including a church and several schools.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by Award Number A-08-4 from the Southwest Consortium For Environmental Research and Policy, by Award Number 3P20MD002287-05S1 from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Environmental Protection Agency, and by Award Number S11 ES013339 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Hispanic Health Disparities Research Center, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities or the National Institutes of Health, or the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hispanic Health Disparities Research Center, Center for Environmental Resource Management, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA

    Hector A Olvera

  2. Civil Engineering Department, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA

    Mario Lopez

  3. Civil Engineering Department, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA

    Veronica Guerrero

  4. Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

    Humberto Garcia

  5. Civil Engineering Department, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA

    Wen-Whai Li

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  1. Hector A Olvera
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Correspondence to Hector A Olvera.

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Olvera, H., Lopez, M., Guerrero, V. et al. Ultrafine particle levels at an international port of entry between the US and Mexico: Exposure implications for users, workers, and neighbors. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 23, 289–298 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.119

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