Health risk associated with exposure to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds among two-wheeler delivery personnel in Ghaziabad, India

• Published in: Atmospheric pollution research 2023-07, Vol.14 (7), p.101806, Article 101806
• Main Authors: Sekar, Abinaya, Binoy, B V, Alshetty, Dheeraj, N, Manoj Kumar, Kuttiparichel Varghese, George, Varma, Ravi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Dosimetry model; Particulate matter; Probabilistic health risk assessment; Sensitivity analysis; Volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 1309-1042; 1309-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2023.101806

The growth in India's food delivery sector is tremendous, with the increasing potential to deliver food to the doorsteps. This increases the number of food delivery persons on the road. Commuters on Delhi – National Capital Region streets are highly exposed to traffic-related air pollution. This study assessed the exposure of delivery persons in Ghaziabad to Particulate matter (PM) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), followed by a probabilistic health risk assessment. The mean exposure level while riding was 516, 180 and 113 μg/m3 for PM10, PM2.5 and PM1, respectively. The exposure values showed significant diurnal variation. The order of diurnal variation was night > morning > afternoon. The multiple path particle dosimetry model results showed that the total deposition fraction of PM10 in the respiratory tract was 2.5 and 3.7 times higher than PM2.5 and PM1, respectively. The total VOC concentrations detected at the traffic intersections, on the road while riding and in the front office of restaurants were 172, 50 and 16 μg/m3, respectively. Benzene was observed to be the major contributor to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. Results from sensitivity analysis indicated that the concentration of pollutants in the traffic junctions was the major parameter influencing the risk. •The mean exposure of delivery persons in Delhi-NCR to PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 was 516, 180 and 113 μg/m3, respectively.•The tracheobronchial and alveolar regions experienced the highest deposition from PM2.5.•Benzene was the major contributor to total carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk.•The concentration of pollutants at traffic junctions is the most decisive parameter for the output risk.•There is a significant risk perception gap among delivery personnel on two-wheelers with regard to air pollution.