Abstract
This innovative study shows how children in bicycle trailers are exposed by aerosol particles in comparison to cyclist during typical rides across the city of Prague, Czech Republic. We hypothesize, that resuspended coarse aerosol particles from dusty roads and submicron/nanoparticles from vehicle engines efficiently penetrate into a bicycle trailer due to low emission heights.
The measurements were conducted by a laser nephelometer and condensation nuclei counter connected to omnidirectional inlets and sheltered in a box or trailer. Two identical instrumentál sets were used.
The box is placed on handlebars holder at the cyclist breathing zone while the second set is placed inside the bicycle trailer. Temperature and GPS position were also concurrently measured.
Overall data were recorded with integration time of 1 second. Approx. 20 km long routes including cycling paths, roads with low and high traffic and city park trails with different surfaces is being repeated several times at various time of day and weather conditions.
Hot-spots of child/cyclist concentration ratios for particle mass and/or numbers at breathing zones were revealed, evaluated and displayed on the colored map. Aerosol concentrations during the ride was confronted with the city background and actual meteorological conditions and rider observations.
Practical recommendations for elimination child exposition to aerosol particles during cycling are one part of results.