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Font A, Hedges M, Han Y, Lim S, Bos B, Tremper AH, Green DC. Air quality on UK diesel and hybrid trains. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108682. [PMID: 38669721 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Concentrations of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), ultrafine (UFP), particle number (PNC), black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) were measured in train carriages on diesel and bi-mode trains on inter-city and long-distance journeys in the United Kingdom (UK) using a high-quality mobile measurement system. Air quality on 15 different routes was measured using highly-time resolved data on a total of 119 journeys during three campaigns in winter 2020 and summer 2021; this included 13 different train classes. Each journey was sampled 4-10 times with approximatively 11,000 min of in-train concentrations in total. Mean-journey concentrations were 7.552 µg m-3 (PM10); 3.936 µg m-3 (PM2.5); 333-11,300 # cm-3 (PNC); 225-9,131 # cm-3 (UFP); 0.6-11 µg m-3 (BC); 28-201 µg m-3 (NO2); and 130-3,456 µg m-3 (NOX). The impact of different factors on in-train concentrations was evaluated. The presence of tunnels was the factor with the largest impact on the in-train particle concentrations with enhancements by a factor of 40 greater than baseline for BC, and a factor 6 to 7 for PM and PNC. The engine fuel mode was the factor with the largest impact on NO2 with enhancements of up to 14-times larger when the train run on diesel compared to the times running on electric on hybrid trains. Train classes with an age < 10 years observed the lowest in-train PM, BC and NOX concentrations reflecting improvements in aspects of rail technology in recent years. Air quality on UK diesel trains is higher than ambient concentrations but has lower PM2.5 and PNC than most other transport modes, including subway systems, diesel and petrol cars. This paper adds significantly to the evidence on exposure to poor air quality in transport micro-environments and provides the industry and regulatory bodies with reference-grade measurements on which to establish in-train air quality guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Font
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom; IMT Nord Europe, Europe, Institut Mines-Télécom, Univ. Lille, Centre for Education, Research and Innovation in Energy Environment (CERI EE), 59000 Lille, France.
| | - Michael Hedges
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Yiqun Han
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Shanon Lim
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Brendan Bos
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Anja H Tremper
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
| | - David C Green
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College, London, W12 0BZ, United Kingdom; NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College, London W12 0BZ, United Kingdom
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Yu RL, Ning HY, Lan TF, He H, Zheng CB, Wang XY, Wang HT, Wang XY. Self-Reported Allergic Rhinitis Prevalence and Risk Factors in Employees of the China National Railway. Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2023; 94:821-826. [PMID: 37853588 DOI: 10.3357/amhp.6229.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disease globally and its prevalence is increasing year by year. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported AR among the Chinese National Railway train crew in the China Railway Beijing Group.METHODS: This prospective questionnaire study surveyed 1511 randomly recruited train crewmembers from 20 cities in the China National Railway network, and 494 reported having AR. A structured questionnaire was tailored, designed, and delivered electronically to all subjects. Prevalence of and risk factors for AR were analyzed based on self-reported results.RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported AR among train crewmembers was 32.6%. Among respondents, 86.03% worked in passenger cars and 64.6% reported having worse AR symptoms while on trains. AR frequencies were 40.15% perennially and 59.85% seasonally. Among the Total Nasal Symptoms Scores (TNSS), significant differences were found between rhinorrhea and sneezing and between nasal itching and sneezing. The Rhino-Conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) showed significant correlations between all seven sections. TNSS was significantly associated with the RQLQ. Scores of both the TNSS and RQLQ showed that the severity of AR symptoms (rp = 0.103) and the impact on quality of life (rp = 0.113) correlated significantly with seniority.CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-reported AR among train crew working in passenger cars is higher than that of the general Chinese population. The severity of AR symptoms and the impact on quality of life are associated with seniority, meaning the number of years working on trains.Yu R-L, Ning H-Y, Lan T-F, He H, Zheng C-B, Wang X-Y, Wang H-T, Wang X-Y. Self-reported allergic rhinitis prevalence and risk factors in employees of the China National Railway. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(11):821-826.
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Barone G, Buonomano A, Forzano C, Giuzio GF, Palombo A. Energy, economic, and environmental impacts of enhanced ventilation strategies on railway coaches to reduce Covid-19 contagion risks. ENERGY (OXFORD, ENGLAND) 2022; 256:124466. [PMID: 35754761 PMCID: PMC9212767 DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.124466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, the Covid-19 outbreak raised great awareness about ventilation system performance in confined spaces. Specifically, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system design and operating parameters, such as air change per hour, air recirculation ratio, filtration device performance, and vents location, play a crucial role in reducing the spread of viruses, moulds, bacteria, and general pollutants. Concerning the transport sector, due to the impracticability of social distancing, and the relatively loose requirements of ventilation standards, the SARS-COV-19 outbreak brought a reduction of payload (up to 50%) for different carriers. Specifically, this has been particularly severe for the railway sector, where train coaches are typically characterized by relatively elevated occupancy and high recirculation ratios. In this framework, to improve the Indoor Air Quality and reduce the Covid-19 contagion risk in railway carriages, the present paper investigates the energy, economic and environmental feasibility of diverse ventilation strategies. To do so, a novel dynamic simulation tool for the complete dynamic performance investigation of trains was developed in an OpenStudio environment. To assess the Covid-19 contagion risk connected to the investigated scenarios, the Wells-Riley model has been adopted. To prove the proposed approach's capabilities and show the Covid-19 infection risk reduction potentially achievable by varying the adopted ventilation strategies, a suitable case study related to an existing medium-distance train operating in South/Central Italy is presented. The conducted numerical simulations return interesting results providing also useful design criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Barone
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Buonomano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cesare Forzano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Adolfo Palombo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Analyse exploratoire des mesures de particules ultrafines en temps réel dans des enceintes ferroviaires souterraines de transport public. ARCH MAL PROF ENVIRO 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.admp.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Dai YZ, Chen YJ, Zhang CY. A Simulation Analyzing Approach to Estimating the Probability of Airborne Infection Risks in Railway Station Platform Coupling with the Wells-Riley Model and Pathfinder Model. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2021; 2021:6066109. [PMID: 34970425 PMCID: PMC8714328 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6066109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Railway station platforms present a particular challenge, especially during a train departure or arrival where some passengers may have potential conditions that make them vulnerable to airborne infections due to the high density and close proximity of passengers. This study presented a simulation analyzing approach to estimating the probability of airborne infection risks in station platform spaces coupling with the Wells-Riley model and Pathfinder model. We examine the impact of overcrowded area of the station platform on infection rates under various traces of evacuation. The result of the potential risk for three modes is discussed, and the results of the standard model under the same parameter setting are optimised. Next, the impact of the ventilated volume based on uneven distribution of individuals and the exposure time based on evacuation on the infection risk in platform spaces are studied. The relationship between platform spaces overcrowding and the infection risk provided further insights to observe the supporting information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Zheng Dai
- School of Architecture, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan-Jiao Chen
- Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen-Yang Zhang
- School of Architecture, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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COVID-19 Impact on Operation and Energy Consumption of Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Systems. ADVANCES IN APPLIED ENERGY 2021; 3. [PMCID: PMC8166037 DOI: 10.1016/j.adapen.2021.100040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is favourable for regulating indoor temperature, relative humidity, airflow pattern and air quality. However, HVAC systems may turn out to be the culprit of microbial contamination in enclosed spaces and deteriorate the environment due to inappropriate design and operation. In the context of COVID-19, significant transformations and new requirements are occurring in HVAC systems. Recently, several updated operational guidelines for HVAC systems have been issued by various institutions to control the airborne transmission and mitigate infection risks in enclosed environments. Challenges and innovations emerge in response to operational variations of HVAC systems. To efficiently prevent the spread of the pandemic and reduce infection risks, it is essential to have an overall understanding of impacts caused by COVID-19 on HVAC systems. Therefore, the objectives of this article are to: (a) provide a comprehensive review of the airborne transmission characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 in enclosed spaces and a theoretical basis for HVAC operation guideline revision; (b) investigate HVAC-related guidelines to clarify the operational variations of HVAC systems during the pandemic; (c) analyse how operational variations of HVAC systems affect energy consumption; and (d) identify the innovations and research trends concerning future HVAC systems. Furthermore, this paper compares the energy consumption of HVAC system operation during the normal times versus pandemic period, based on a case study in China, providing a reference for other countries around the world. Results of this paper offer comprehensive insights into how to keep indoor environments safe while maintaining energy-efficient operation of HVAC systems.
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Key Words
- energy impacts of hvac systems
- covid-19 pandemic
- airborne transmission
- hvac operation guidelines
- challenges and innovations
- ahu, air handing unit
- asc, architectural society of china
- ashrae, american society of heating refrigerating and air-conditioning engineers
- car, chinese association of refrigeration
- cciaq, canadian committee on indoor air quality
- cop, coefficient of performance
- dcv, demand-controlled ventilation
- ecdc, european centre for disease prevention and control
- eeaf, electrostatic enhanced air filter
- eepf, electrostatic enhanced pleated air filters
- hepa, high efficiency particulate air
- hphe, heat pipe heat exchanger
- epa, environmental protection agency
- hvac, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
- ishrae, indian society of heating refrigerating and air conditioning engineers
- merv, minimum efficiency reporting value
- mohurd, ministry of housing and urban-rural development of the people's republic of china
- nhc, national health commission of china
- pho, public health ontario
- rehva, federation of european heating ventilation and air conditioning associations
- sac, standardization administration of the people's republic of china
- sbs, sick building syndrome
- shase, society of heating air-conditioning and sanitary engineers in japan
- uv, ultraviolet
- uvgi, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
- who, world health organization
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Xie Z, Xiao Y, Jiang C, Ren Z, Li X, Yu K. Numerical research on airflow-dust migration behavior and optimal forced air duct installation position in a subway tunnel during drilling operation. POWDER TECHNOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2021.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Particulate Matter Exposures under Five Different Transportation Modes during Spring Festival Travel Rush in China. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9071133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Serious traffic-related pollution and high population density during the spring festival (Chinese new year) travel rush (SFTR) increases the travelers’ exposure risk to pollutants and biohazards. This study investigates personal exposure to particulate matter (PM) mass concentration when commuting in five transportation modes during and after the 2020 SFTR: China railway high-speed train (CRH train), subway, bus, car, and walking. The routes are selected between Nanjing and Xuzhou, two major transportation hubs in the Yangtze Delta. The results indicate that personal exposure levels to PM on the CRH train are the lowest and relatively stable, and so it is recommended to take the CRH train back home during the SFTR to reduce the personal PM exposure. The exposure level to PM2.5 during SFTR is twice as high as the average level of Asia, and it is higher than the WHO air quality guideline (AQG).
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Andersen MHG, Johannesson S, Fonseca AS, Clausen PA, Saber AT, Roursgaard M, Loeschner K, Koponen IK, Loft S, Vogel U, Møller P. Exposure to Air Pollution inside Electric and Diesel-Powered Passenger Trains. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:4579-4587. [PMID: 30917278 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Diesel-powered trains are used worldwide for passenger transport. The present study aimed to assess air pollution concentrations in passenger cars from diesel and electric trains. Personal exposure monitoring (6-7 h per day) was carried out for 49 days on diesel and 22 days on electric trains. Diesel trains had higher concentrations of all the assessed air pollution components. Average increases (and fold differences) in passenger cars of diesel trains compared with electric trains were for ultrafine particles 212 000 particles/cm3 (35-fold), black carbon 8.3 μg/m3 (6-fold), NO x 316 μg/m3 (8-fold), NO2 38 μg/m3 (3-fold), PM2.5 34 μg/m3 (2-fold), and benzo( a)pyrene 0.14 ng/m3 (6-fold). From time-series data, the pull and push movement modes, the engine in use, and the distance to the locomotive influenced the concentrations inside the diesel trains. In conclusion, concentrations of all air pollutants were significantly elevated in passenger cars in diesel trains compared to electric trains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Helena G Andersen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health , University of Copenhagen , Øster Farimagsgade 5A , DK-1014 Copenhagen K , Denmark
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Lersø Parkalle 105 , DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø , Denmark
| | - Sandra Johannesson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg , 40530 Gothenburg , Sweden
| | - Ana Sofia Fonseca
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Lersø Parkalle 105 , DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø , Denmark
| | - Per Axel Clausen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Lersø Parkalle 105 , DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø , Denmark
| | - Anne Thoustrup Saber
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Lersø Parkalle 105 , DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø , Denmark
| | - Martin Roursgaard
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health , University of Copenhagen , Øster Farimagsgade 5A , DK-1014 Copenhagen K , Denmark
| | | | - Ismo K Koponen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Lersø Parkalle 105 , DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø , Denmark
| | - Steffen Loft
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health , University of Copenhagen , Øster Farimagsgade 5A , DK-1014 Copenhagen K , Denmark
| | - Ulla Vogel
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment , Lersø Parkalle 105 , DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø , Denmark
| | - Peter Møller
- Department of Public Health, Section of Environmental Health , University of Copenhagen , Øster Farimagsgade 5A , DK-1014 Copenhagen K , Denmark
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