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. 2007 Nov;4(11):848-54.
doi: 10.1080/15459620701643347.

Driver exposure to combustion particles in the U.S. Trucking industry

M E Davis  1 , T J Smith, F Laden, J E Hart, A P Blicharz, P Reaser, E Garshick
Affiliations

Driver exposure to combustion particles in the U.S. Trucking industry

M E Davis et al. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2007 Nov.

Abstract

A large study of combustion particle exposures for drivers of diesel-powered trucks was conducted in collaboration with an epidemiologic study of lung cancer outcomes for workers in the trucking industry. Three components of diesel exhaust combustion particles (PM(2.5), elemental carbon, and organic carbon) were measured inside the driver cabs of diesel-powered trucks from 36 different trucking terminals across the United States between 2001 and 2005. In-cab particle exposures for drivers assigned to both short and long distance trips were observed, as well as information on the smoking status of the driver, truck characteristics such as age and model, and weather conditions during the sampling session. This article summarizes these findings and describes the relationship between exhaust particles and various determinants of exposure. The results suggest that in-cab particle exposures are positively related to smoking, ambient particle concentrations, truck age, and open windows, with other significant modifying factors such as weather. This study represents the largest and most comprehensive exposure assessment of drivers in the trucking industry, encompassing a 4-year period of observations on diesel and exhaust particle exposures nationwide. The results are relevant not only to the occupational group of truck drivers being examined but also to the general population that live, commute, or work within proximity to diesel-fueled traffic or trucking terminals.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Sampler box setup in truck cab
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
CO2 levels in nonsmoking P&D trucks. Note: Y-axis scales the height of the bars so that the sum of their areas equal one. Ambient average CO2 is equal to 360 ppm and Massachusetts indoor air standard of 650 ppm.(12)
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
P&D driver median EC by truck model year
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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