Public transport air pollution impacts on children's lung function - A case study in Hong Kong

This study relates to the pulmonary function of school age children and the air quality of public transport in Hong Kong. The study focuses on selected primary five or six students from schools in Hong Kong. A log book was distributed through the schools to and completed by these students. Each sampled student had to fill in the daily travelling activities and also required to conduct a pulmonary function test. The air pollutants such as PM₁₀, PM_2.5, CO₂, CO and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were monitored inside of public transportation for the routes to school and return home during morning and evening hours as reported by sampled students. A statistical analysis, ANOVA, was performed on the mode of transportation and lung function test results. It is found that different mode of transportation has significant difference on the student's lung function. It is also found that students who go to school by Mass Transit Railway (MTR) had significant better pulmonary function values than others. Besides, no significant difference was obtained with all other of public transportations.