Participants' exposure to PM2.5 and gaseous/particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the Ma-tsu Goddess parade

The Ma-tsu Goddess parade is a very special religious tradition in Taiwan attracting thousands of believers every year. This parade is an 8-day-and-7-night event and the entire walking distance is about 280 km. This study assesses participants' exposure to PM2.5, and gaseous and particulate PAHs. The contribution of various exposure factors was also evaluated. Sampling was conducted during the entire parade period in 2001. Exposures of participants who were riding motorcycles or driving cars were assessed. Personal environmental monitors mounted with Teflon filters and polyurethane foams were used for particulate and gaseous sampling. PAHs were analyzed with GC-FID. Stepwise regression analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of various factors, including the number of temples visited each day, the duration of temple visits, the number of temple co-visitors, visitors riding motorcycles or driving cars, etc. During the Ma-tsu Goddess parade, the mean PM2.5, particulate and gaseous PAH exposures were around 119±60.8, 0.36±0.23 and 0.86±0.48 μg/m3, respectively. Participants' PM2.5 and particulate PAH exposures were about two to three times the exposure during daily routines. The profiles of 16 PAH species in the particulate and gaseous phases for participants' and normal daily exposures were also different. Incense smoke and vehicle exhaust were two important sources. Worshippers would be exposed to 0.096 μg/m3 more PM2.5 for every incremental minute in temples. In addition, motorcyclists were exposed to 0.21 μg/m3 higher particulate PAHs than the car drivers.