SUM-Türkiye Personal Exposure Project Coordinator Dogushan Kilic (left) and Marmara University students measure particulate matter at a Metrobus station. Photo by SUM-Türkiye.

The Center for Sustainable Transport in Turkey (SUM-Türkiye) concluded its study of commuters' personal exposure to air pollution in Istanbul.

The study is the one of the first air pollution exposure and public health studies performed in a developing country, especially in Turkey, according to SUM-Turkiye Transportation Engineer Burhan Kocaman.

"It is well known that exposure concentrations measured on-site is significantly higher than ambient levels of aerosols measured in ambient air quality stations," he says.

The final measurements of the Istanbul study were gathered between June 1 to June 19, as a follow-up to a pilot study conducted in February.

SUM-Türkiye staff worked with students from Marmara University to collect data during peak hours in the morning and evening three days per week. They measured particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5), produced from diesel-powered engine emissions, using two portable photometric PM 2.5 samplers. They also measured exposure levels in vehicles and at bus stops.

SUM-Türkiye hypothesizes that the Metrobus bus rapid transit system has reduced commuter exposure to transport–related air pollution.

Final data processing and analysis will be completed within the next three months. The final report of the personal exposure project will include data about in-vehicle and bus stop concentration patterns between altering public transport modes.