Commuting and Exposure to Airborne Carcinogenic Materials: A Case Study of Bangkok

Priyakamon Khan, Mahidol University
Sureeporn Punpuing, Mahidol University
Martin A. Hooper, Monash University
Bev Hooper, Monash University

Hazardous air pollutants generated mainly by incomplete combustion in the congested traffic is one of the major problems in Bangkok City. As commuting is one of the microenvironments, it was hypothesized that Bangkok commuters who spend more time in urban traffic are exposed to high loaded of airborne carcinogenic materials. This study purposed to measure the concentration of PM10, PM2.5, BC and PAHs. The study was undertaken by imitating the commuting pattern of 20 lung cancers and 20 general public members, June - August 2001. The database of the Pollution Control Department was also utilized. Carbon Black was related directly to time spent and lung cancer cases were more likely to expose to black smoke than the controls. Benzo[a]pyrene was higher than the safety limit especially in the inner zone. The results implied that long term exposure of commuters to urban polluted air might risk to human cancer across time.