Pollution Study in Commuters, Test subjects required

Not necessarily

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V78-447D2T6-B&_user=3010452&_coverDate=11%2F12%2F2001&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1535519772&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000059419&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=3010452&md5=3c08ae0d68f16e4d3abe9a4ab779df1b&searchtype=a

Absolutely - but I suspect that people on this forum shift a lot more air per minute than the average boris biker. I've seen figures that show a range of respiratory minute volume that up to 5x that of a car passenger. Also, exposure inside a car is probably similar regardless of city, but on a bike may well differ between London and Copenhagen (paper quoted is historical and I lack up to date figures), so the ratios quoted may not hold out in the square mile.

Still - i agree - it ain't necessarily so... study will give us some more information to go on. keep signing up and we'll hopefully start testing soon...

Does recent legislation make discriminating by age illegal (excepting minimum agesfor consent)?

It's a scientific study, not a job.

There would be no point in testing small chinese men to see how many press ups they can do in one minute when you need to find out the how frequently a chiliean miner masterbates when kept underground for long periods of time.

There would be no point in testing small chinese men to see how many press ups they can do in one minute when you need to find out the how frequently a chiliean miner masterbates when kept underground for long periods of time.

Are you okay???

My weak back has kept me desk bound for too long, I am in need of some interaction with the outside world.

Tipper and Zack Speedfast don't count even though I have spoken to both in the last few days.

I think that lack of human contact and fantasy has converted Rapsac into a self pleasuring Chilean miner.

Or given the context, should that read "minor"?

Cliveo I'd be a blithering mess if it wasn't for your constant support, you keep me on the straight and narrow.

DO YOU USE AN ANTI-POLLUTION MASK???

Dear All

thanks to those who contributed to this study at Rapsac's first request. We generated some useful data which highlights urban cyclist exposure to pollution and have fed it back to TFL to inform the location and planning of cycling/urban transport policy.

I'd like to expand the study by looking at people who routinely use antipollution masks while cycling in London.

Go to OP for details, I'm on c.nwokoro@qmul.ac.uk

Sorry if I missed it but are the findings public somewhere? Just how bad for me is that huge pipe blowing particulates from the back of the No. 9 Routemaster?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22362851

tl;dr

Conclusion?

Cyclists have more BC in their AM.
In summary, cycling to work in London is associated with increased AM carbon
compared with travelling to work by public transport and/or walking. Increased AM
15
carbon in cyclists is due, in part, to the longer time taken to travel to work and
exposure to high local concentrations of BC. Personal BC monitoring is a promising
method for planning personal commute routes, but interpreting these data is not
straightforward. For example, cycling to work by a low traffic-density road will
certainly reduce commute BC per unit time, but if travel time increases, total
commute BC exposure may remain the same. In conclusion, cycling to work in
London is associated with increased long-term inhaled dose of BC. Whether increased
minute ventilation associated with cycling is an independent risk factor for increased
inhaled BC dose, remains unclear.

Black Carbon but what's an AM?

What negative effects does BC have on the body?

I think London is also a bit special that it effectively removed all modern engines from central areas
with the congestion charge. All that's left are old style diesel engines in buses, taxis and lorries.
The Vans are probably the only ones that might have modern filters.

AM - Airway macrophage.
http://www.qmul.ac.uk/research/cities/healthy_cities/57390.html

Numerous studies have demonstrated the negative effects of carbon pollution on respiratory health – exposure can lead to heart attacks, bacterial and viral infections, asthma and even various cancers. After cigarette smoke, the main source of carbon pollution is car exhaust fumes.

However, as the carbon particles released in car exhaust fumes are so tiny, they pose a threat that is far too easy to overlook.

I figure it must be better for my long term health to be a fit cyclist and expose my lungs to the Big Smoke than to get fat. Thanks for the link.

I would wear my mask more, were it not for it feeling like wearing a scarf in this weather.

I am getting a mask again but mainly because I get some irritating dust or pollen particles
stuck in my throat on every single ride causing a horrible cough.

These last couple of weeks have been really bad, especially in the mornings in the thinner streets, where the pollution can't dissipate. Was getting to work with a sore throat so bought a new mask, makes all the difference (when I wear it).

I think London is also a bit special that it effectively removed all modern engines from central areas
with the congestion charge. All that's left are old style diesel engines in buses, taxis and lorries.
The Vans are probably the only ones that might have modern filters.

Eh? So, er, none of the cars we see day to day in central London have modern engines. Hybrids, electric cars, and low-emission vehicles are removed by the congestion charge despite the fact they're exempt. The low emission zone and its daily charges for particularly polluting commercial vehicles has been completely ineffective and only old-style diesels are left.

Glad we've got that cleared up then.

(Or maybe you've got a bit of a special take on reality, just maybe ...)

London is the most pollluted city in Europe, FACT.

Why need to have a study done when we know this? study after study after study and nothing being done (or little) about tackling the poor air quality in London.

the majority of vehicles I see on my commute are buses and taxis. The pollution is easily visible
at night when the cars have their headlights on.

I use the figures produced by London Mayor, to highlight the link between black cabs and air pollution, because cabs are responsible for nearly a third of particulate pollution in central London.

http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/black-cabs-and-pollution/201116767

Always impressive when a bus pulls away and literally paints the road with soot from it's exhaust.

I had heard that an effort is being made to remove the older taxi cabs with the worst (old Land Rover diesels I believe?) performing engines in terms of particulates.