how did underground railways cause pollution
Answers
Air quality in underground railway areas has been a subject of concern for a number of years. Due to the air pollution that has been found in underground railway areas and the amount of time that workers spend there during their work hours, questions have been raised regarding the long-term health risks to workers linked to the air pollutants found in these zones. For this reason, ANSES was asked by the Ministries for health, labour and the environment to examine the issue.
The findings of the report published today on the health risks of fine particles for different types of workers whose activities take place in these areas, have led the Agency to recommend continuing to implement measures for the prevention and reduction of exposure to pollutants in the air. In addition, the Agency recommends that research work be conducted on the specific long-term toxicity of particles present in the air of underground railway areas.
The degradation of air quality in the subs or underground railway is a matter of concern. It has been found that travelling in an underground train for about an hour is equal to bein in traffic for a complete day.
The underground railways are more polluted because :
● of the poor ventilated system in the tunnels and stations. The air in the station doesn't have any easy way out of the station. The ventilation across the station is very poor thus, causing the condition of air to worsen.
● the Aerosol particles that are present in the closed atmosphere of the underground railways are usually higher than the outside environment. These particles are even heavier and larger than the aerosol particles present outside.
● Lack of sunlight in the subways also contributes to pollution. It is general observation that any closed environment without adequate sunlight is more suffocated as compared to an open and properly lit environment.
● another cause of pollution is the presence of Ultrafine Particulate pollution which the electric train produces from brake linings, friction and overhead cables.