Reducing Exposures Traffic-Related Air Pollution And Urban Building Design

Rapid growth of cities along with increased demand for motor vehicle transport has resulted in a large fraction of the world's population working or residing in proximity to major roadways. The Health Effects Institute estimates that living within 1,640 ft (500 m) of a highway or major roadway constitutes an area "highly affected" by traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). Currently 30 to 45% of individuals in North America live within this distance.(1) In some cities, policies to promote high density housing to support public transportation and other sustainability goals have the potential to significantly increase the number of residences within this TRAP zone. Since we spend the vast majority of our time indoors, exposure to these air pollutants will largely occur indoors. This presents an opportunity for the building services sector to reduce indoor exposures to TRAP and in so doing, help realize substantial public health benefits.