Public Health Threat Assessment of Vehicular Load Index-Induced Urban Air Pollution Indices Near Traffic Intersections In Central India

Objectives: To assess traffic vehicular load, levels of various air pollutants, their correlation at selected traffic intersections of Bhopal city and to suggest suitable public health measures. Methods: A transverse study was conducted by convenience sampling with equated distribution among vehicular load-based large (Group1:G1: 10 TI), medium (Group2:G2: 5 TI), and small (Group3:G3: 5 TI) traffic-intersections (TI) through a systematic stratified random selection of study sites to assess traffic vehicle load index (VLI). Results: VLI,G1 (cumulative mean: 16.31; day-time (DT): 19.03, DT range 11.68-51.49; night-time (NT): 13.59, NT range 11.7-18.0), VLI,G2 (cumulative mean: 0.965; DT:0.971, DT range 08.56-11.67; NT: 0.960, NT range 07.54-11.39), and VLI,G3 (cumulative mean: 06.17; DT:06.08, DT range 04.12-06.86; NT: 06.27, NT range 03.74-07.53). There is a significant intergroup difference of the mean (G1 vs G2: p=0.03); (G1 vs G3: p=0.002); (G2 vs G3: p=0.003). The range of VLI is found to be wide within G1 (DT; 11.68-51.49; NT 11.7-18.00) as compared to narrow range in G2 (DT; 8.56-11.67; NT7.54-11.39) and G3 (DT; 4.12-6.86; NT 3.74-7.53). Conclusion: High air pollution noted at TIs and associated exposure to unprotected commuters pose public-health risks. It has long-term health consequences requiring focused multidisciplinary preventive interventions.