Exposure to noise and air pollution by mode of transportation during rush hours in Montreal

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution and road traffic noise are two important environmental nuisances that could be harmful to the health and well-being of urban populations. Earlier studies suggest that motorists are more exposed to air pollutants than are active transportation users. However, because of their level of physical activity, cyclists also inhale more air pollutants. The main objective of this paper is to measure individuals' levels of exposure to air pollution (nitrogen dioxide – NO2) and road traffic noise according to their use of different modes of transportation. Three teams of three people each were formed: one person would travel by bicycle, one by public transit, and the third by car. Nearly one hundred trips were made, from various outlying Montreal neighbourhoods to the downtown area at 8 am, and in the opposite direction at 5 pm. The use of mixed models demonstrated that public transit commuters' and cyclists' levels of exposure to noise are significantly greater than motorists' exposure. Again, using mixed models, we found that although the levels of exposure to the NO2 pollutant do not significantly differ among the three modes, the inhaled doses of NO2 pollutant are more than three times higher for cyclists than for motorists due to their stronger ventilation rate. It is hardly surprising that the benefits of physical activity are of course greater for cyclists: they burn 3.63 times more calories than motorists. This ratio is also higher for public transport users (1.73) who combine several modes (walking, bus and/or subway and walking). •Noise exposure: Higher levels for public transit users and cyclists•Air pollution exposure: not significant differences with the three modes of transportation•compared with motorists, the inhaled doses are 3.7 and 1.2 times higher for cyclists and public transit users, respectively.