Epidemiological studies have shown measurable neurological impacts at PM concentrations below current policy limits/recommendations (e.g. Robust correlations have been found between outdoor PM concentrations and reduced brain function, in different geographic settings and age groups.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5, < 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) in air pollution is reportedly the largest environmental risk factor contributing to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, globally 1, 2, 3, and causes about six to nine million premature deaths each year 4, 5.Įvidence increasingly shows that exposure to airborne PM is also linked with impaired neuro-development and cognitive function. Air pollution comprises a mix of gases and solid particles of varying sizes. These findings demonstrate that roadside vegetation can be designed, installed and maintained to achieve rapid, significant, cost-effective improvement of air quality by optimising PM deposition on plant leaves.Įxposure to the traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) associated with proximity to major roads has been linked with excess risks for a range of cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes. PM deposition on the western red cedar tredge removed ~ 49% of BC, and ~ 46% and 26% of the traffic-sourced PM 2.5 and PM 1, respectively.

Here, the measured amounts of leaf-deposited magnetic PM after roadside greening (‘tredge’) installation, and measured reductions in playground PM, particle number and black carbon concentrations demonstrate that air quality improvements by deposition can be achieved at the local, near-road, community/playground scale. Critical to optimizing PM removal is selection of species with high particle deposition velocity ( Vd) values, currently under-parameterised in most modelling studies.

Roadside vegetation can decrease airborne PM concentrations, through PM deposition on leaves, but can also increase them, by impeding airflow and PM dispersion. One immediate way of reducing airborne PM concentrations at the local (i.e., near-road community) scale is installation of roadside vegetation as a means of passive pollution abatement. Exposure to traffic-related particulate air pollution has been linked with excess risks for a range of cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological health outcomes risks likely to be exacerbated in young children attending schools adjacent to highly-trafficked roads.

Particle playground emit over distance