START DATE AND DURATION: November 2022
Summary
Electric and hybrid vehicles produce less air pollution from exhausts, but due to their increased weight, they increase air pollution from brake, tyre and road wear. To date no research has explored the health impacts of non-exhaust air pollution on human health in a real-world setting.
38 adults with asthma will be randomly allocated to visit field-testing sites in central London, located in contrasting air quality environments. Sites targeted will be near:
- A busy road junction characterized by stop-go traffic to enhance emissions from brake wear
- High speed continuous traffic, to enhance tire wear emissions
- Urban background site.
Participants will ride on static exercise bikes for two hours and will perform identical respiratory health assessments (spirometry and FeNO) before and after the exercise task.
Study outcomes include lung function (primary) and a range of immunological responses.
