AIR POLLUTION AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH HAZARDS FROM DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE TRAFFIC IN A RAILWAY TUNNEL

The results are presented of an intensive study of a railway tunnel environment under conditions of fully dieselized train traffic. Atmospheric sampling tests were conducted around the clock on an B-HR working shift basis for three days. More than 2000 observations were made to determine the fluctuations and range of occurrence of contaminant concentration under a variety of traffic conditions. There were no abnormal health effects on participants during exposure in the tunnel atmosphere, with the exception of minor cases of eye and throat irritation. However, nitrogen dioxide, aldehydes, smoke, and particulate matter attained high levels during periods of peak train activity. Therefore, installation of appropriate forced-draft ventilation is recommended for the tunnel before full dieselization is introduced to replace electrical operation of trains.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This article was also published in the December 1959 issue of the American Medical Association's Archives of Environmental Health.
• Corporate Authors:

  Department of National Health and Welfare, Canada

  Occupational Health Division
  Ottawa, ONo,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Katz, M
  • Rennie, R P
• Publication Date: 1960

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 2-15
• Serial:
  • Occupational Health Review
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Department of National Health and Welfare, Canada

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Air pollution sources; Diesel engine exhaust gases; Diesel locomotives; Emissions testing; Exhaust gases; Health; Measurement; Pollutants; Tests; Tunnels; Ventilation systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Air quality measurements
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Environment; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00041773
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Air Pollution Technical Information Center
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 4 1974 12:00AM