EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF PARTICULATE MATTER ON TRAFFIC PERSONNEL AND AT TRAFFIC JUNCTIONS

Traffic junctions and congestions are the hotspots of suspended particulate matter. Survey is conducted on the street people those are directly exposed to particulate matter. This study has put more focus on the respiratory disorders caused due to particulate matter. Comprehensive study is conducted on the traffic congestions and traffic personnel. Evaluation of particulate matter (PM2.5) with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less is done during the peak hours. A weekly measurement of PM2.5 was averaged at the most congested junctions of Mumbai. Time based study is undertaken to correlate the impact of PM2.5 and effect of chronic and acute symptoms among traffic personnel's. These effects were monitored through spirometric analysis on exposed and unexposed groups. Further the impacts were categorised into acute and chronic impacts. CALINE 3 is used to predict concentration of pollutants near traffic junctions where vehicles have to wait on queue in idling condition for signals. The traffic personnel's were diagnosed for occupational health effects which comprises of respiratory related diseases. These prospective data supports the development of asthma and respiratory disorders irrespective of the other risks.