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Respiratory Suspended Particulate (RSP) Concentration and its Implications to Roadside Workers: A Case Study of Hong Kong

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Abstract

Respiratory Suspended Particulates (RSPs) have attractedincreasing interest in recent years because of the potential riskof RSPs to human health. In Hong Kong, a large population ofroadside workers is believed to be continuously exposed to highlevels of RSPs. In this study, the roadside RSP concentrationsat 72 locations in 6 urban districts of different land use typesin Hong Kong are examined. Results show that the RSP pollutionin Hong Kong's roadside environment is quite serious. Theaverage RSP concentration at 61.11% of sampling sites is over180 μg m-3, the highest 24 h RSP mean concentrationrecommended by the Environmental Protection Department of HongKong. Analyses of RSP concentration data with reference to thelocal environmental conditions indicate that, among variousenvironmental factors, land use, population density and trafficflow are important determinants of the RSP level. Because manyroadside workers are exposed to high levels of RSP for prolongedperiods, it is necessary to increase the public awareness of thehealth hazard of roadside workers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geography Department, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong

    Sai Leung Ng & Kin Che Lam

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  1. Sai Leung Ng
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  2. Kin Che Lam
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Ng, S.L., Lam, K.C. Respiratory Suspended Particulate (RSP) Concentration and its Implications to Roadside Workers: A Case Study of Hong Kong. Environ Monit Assess 72, 235–247 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012097121404

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