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Outdoor ultrafine particle concentrations in front of fast food restaurants

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 26, pages 35–41 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) have been associated with negative effects on human health. Emissions from motor vehicles are the principal source of UFPs in urban air. A study in Vancouver suggested that UFP concentrations were related to density of fast food restaurants near the monitoring sites. A previous monitoring campaign could not separate the contribution of restaurants from road traffic. The main goal of this study has been the quantification of fast food restaurants' contribution to outdoor UFP concentrations. A portable particle number counter (DiscMini) has been used to carry out mobile monitoring in a largely pedestrianized area in the city center of Utrecht. A fixed route passing 17 fast food restaurants was followed on 8 days. UFP concentrations in front of the restaurants were 1.61 times higher than in a nearby square without any local sources used as control area and 1.22 times higher compared with all measurements conducted in between the restaurants. Adjustment for other sources such as passing mopeds, smokers or candles did not explain the increase. In conclusion, fast food restaurants result in significant increases in outdoor UFP concentrations in front of the restaurant.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by a grant from the Healthy Urban Living program of Utrecht University.

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  1. Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Cristina Vert, Kees Meliefste & Gerard Hoek

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  1. Cristina Vert
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  2. Kees Meliefste
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  3. Gerard Hoek
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Correspondence to Gerard Hoek.

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Vert, C., Meliefste, K. & Hoek, G. Outdoor ultrafine particle concentrations in front of fast food restaurants. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 26, 35–41 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2015.64

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