Urban air quality monitoring. Dr. Batterman serves as an advisor to the air toxics monitoring and assessment program for Detroit, Michigan.In the photo, Masters student Jim Braun and Dr. Peter Warner from the Wayne County Air Pollution Control Office in Detroit view a PM2.5 monitor.
Commuting exposure. A study evaluated VOC exposures received by commuters, and compared those levels to results of fixed monitoring. Based on monitoring along three important routes in urban, commercial and industrial sections of Detroit (see map at right), concentrations of several toxics (e.g., benzene) greatly exceeded levels at fixed sites as well as risk-based levels. This isn't surprising given the significance of motor vehicle emissions in urban areas.Generally, commuting exposures are not well characterized, and may provide a major portion of the total exposure of several toxics.
