Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate Measure
Diesel particulate matter—primarily ultrafine particles (UFPs), defined as particles smaller than 0.1 µm—are released by diesel-powered vehicles, especially those used in heavy-duty hauling. While much of the existing research on traffic-related air pollution focuses on urban environments, limited a...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7415 |
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| author | Nafisat O. Isa Bailley Reggetz Ojo. A. Thomas Andrew C. Nix Sijin Wen Travis Knuckles Marcus Cervantes Ranjita Misra Michael McCawley |
| author_facet | Nafisat O. Isa Bailley Reggetz Ojo. A. Thomas Andrew C. Nix Sijin Wen Travis Knuckles Marcus Cervantes Ranjita Misra Michael McCawley |
| author_sort | Nafisat O. Isa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Diesel particulate matter—primarily ultrafine particles (UFPs), defined as particles smaller than 0.1 µm—are released by diesel-powered vehicles, especially those used in heavy-duty hauling. While much of the existing research on traffic-related air pollution focuses on urban environments, limited attention has been paid to how complex topography influences the concentration of UFPs, particularly in areas with significant truck traffic. With a focus on Morgantown, West Virginia, an area distinguished by a steep topography, this study investigates how travel over two different terrain conditions affects UFP concentrations close to roadways. Specifically, we sought to determine if the truck count taken from simultaneous video evidence could be used as a surrogate for varying topography in determining the concentration of UFPs. This study shows that “TRUCK COUNT” and “TRUCK SPEED” have a linear relationship and yield a possible surrogate measure of the lung dose of UFP number concentration. Our results demonstrate a statistically significant (<i>p</i> < 0.1) linear relationship between truck count and UFP number concentration (R = 0.77 and 0.40), validating truck count along with truck speed as a medium effect surrogate for estimating near-road UFP exposure. Dose estimation using the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) model further revealed that approximately 30% of inhaled UFPs are deposited in the alveolar region, underscoring the public health relevance of this exposure pathway in topographically complex areas. This method ultimately awaits comparison with health effects to determine its true potential as a useful exposure metric. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ac2b83b44414ebf85f94b7b8ca5f96a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ac2b83b44414ebf85f94b7b8ca5f96a2025-08-20T03:50:17ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011513741510.3390/app15137415Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate MeasureNafisat O. Isa0Bailley Reggetz1Ojo. A. Thomas2Andrew C. Nix3Sijin Wen4Travis Knuckles5Marcus Cervantes6Ranjita Misra7Michael McCawley8School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USASchool of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USADepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USADepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USASchool of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USASchool of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USASchool of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USASchool of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USASchool of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USADiesel particulate matter—primarily ultrafine particles (UFPs), defined as particles smaller than 0.1 µm—are released by diesel-powered vehicles, especially those used in heavy-duty hauling. While much of the existing research on traffic-related air pollution focuses on urban environments, limited attention has been paid to how complex topography influences the concentration of UFPs, particularly in areas with significant truck traffic. With a focus on Morgantown, West Virginia, an area distinguished by a steep topography, this study investigates how travel over two different terrain conditions affects UFP concentrations close to roadways. Specifically, we sought to determine if the truck count taken from simultaneous video evidence could be used as a surrogate for varying topography in determining the concentration of UFPs. This study shows that “TRUCK COUNT” and “TRUCK SPEED” have a linear relationship and yield a possible surrogate measure of the lung dose of UFP number concentration. Our results demonstrate a statistically significant (<i>p</i> < 0.1) linear relationship between truck count and UFP number concentration (R = 0.77 and 0.40), validating truck count along with truck speed as a medium effect surrogate for estimating near-road UFP exposure. Dose estimation using the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) model further revealed that approximately 30% of inhaled UFPs are deposited in the alveolar region, underscoring the public health relevance of this exposure pathway in topographically complex areas. This method ultimately awaits comparison with health effects to determine its true potential as a useful exposure metric.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7415ultrafine particlesdiesel enginesdiesel particulate mattertopographycomplex terrainair pollution |
| spellingShingle | Nafisat O. Isa Bailley Reggetz Ojo. A. Thomas Andrew C. Nix Sijin Wen Travis Knuckles Marcus Cervantes Ranjita Misra Michael McCawley Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate Measure Applied Sciences ultrafine particles diesel engines diesel particulate matter topography complex terrain air pollution |
| title | Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate Measure |
| title_full | Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate Measure |
| title_fullStr | Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate Measure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate Measure |
| title_short | Quantifying Topography-Dependent Ultrafine Particle Exposure from Diesel Emissions in Appalachia Using Traffic Counts as a Surrogate Measure |
| title_sort | quantifying topography dependent ultrafine particle exposure from diesel emissions in appalachia using traffic counts as a surrogate measure |
| topic | ultrafine particles diesel engines diesel particulate matter topography complex terrain air pollution |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/13/7415 |
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