Exposure of in-pram babies to airborne particles during morning drop-in and afternoon pick-up of school children

In-pram babies are more susceptible to air pollution effects, yet studies assessing their exposure are limited. We measured size-resolved particle mass (PMC; 0.25–32 μm) and number (PNC; 0.2–1 μm) concentrations on a 2.7 km route. The instruments were placed inside a baby pram. The route passed through 4 traffic intersections (TIs) and a bus stand. A total of ∼87 km road length was covered through 64 trips, made during school drop-in (morning) and pick-up (afternoon) hours. The objectives were to assess PMC and PNC exposure to in-pram babies at different route segments, understand their physicochemical characteristics and exposure differences between in-pram babies and adults carrying them. Over 5-fold variability (14.1–78.2 μg m⁻³) was observed in PMCs. Small-sized particles, including ultrafine particles, were always higher by 66% (PM₁), 29% (PM_2.5) and 31% (PNC) during the morning than afternoon. Coarse particles (PM_2.5-10) showed an opposite trend with 70% higher concentration during afternoon than morning. TIs emerged as pollution hotspots for all the particle types. For example, PM_2.5, PM_2.5-10 and PNCs during the morning (afternoon) at TIs were 7 (10)%, 19 (10)% and 68 (62)% higher, respectively, compared with the rest of the route. Bus stand was also a section of enhanced exposure to PNC and PM_2.5, although not so much for PM_2.5-10. EDX analyses revealed Cl, Na and Fe as dominant elements. Road salt might be a source of NaCl due to de-icing during the measurements while Fe contributed by non-exhaust emissions from brake abrasion. The respiratory deposition rates imitated the trend of PMC, with higher doses of coarse and fine particles during the afternoon and morning runs, respectively. Special protection measures during conveyance of in-pram babies, especially at pollution hotspots such as traffic intersections and bus stands, could help to limit their exposure. - Highlights: • PM_2.5 and PM_2.5-10 particles dominated morning and afternoon hours, respectively. • Traffic intersections (TIs) and bus stand emerged as pollution hotspots. • PNC were by ∼65% higher at both TIs and bus stand than at the rest of the route. • Small differences in PM_2.5 concentration between babies and adults were noted. - Exposure assessment of in-pram babies showed much higher fine and ultrafine particles at traffic intersections and bus stands during morning (drop-in) than afternoon (pick-up) hours.