Exposure Assessment of Commuters to Traffic - Related Air Pollutants in Transportation Micro-Environments of Developing City of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban transportation micro-environments are recognized as critical exposure hotspots for traffic-related air pollutants, yet they are often underrepresented in conventional ambient air quality assessments. This study investigated the exposure of commuters to particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10), water-soluble ions, trace metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in selected transportation micro-environments of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Sampling was conducted across public buses, commercial motorcycles, and roadside bus stops in the Aluu and Isiokpo communities, representing high-density commuter zones. Samples were collected over a 10-day period in both dry and wet seasons using standardized air monitoring protocols. Analytical procedures included gravimetric PM determination, ion chromatography for water-soluble ions, atomic absor...

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