Am J Public Health. 2010 Dec;100(12):2388-91. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.190132. Epub 2010 Oct 21.

Potential health impact of switching from car to public transportation when commuting to work.

Morabia A¹, Mirer FE, Amstislavski TM, Eisl HM, Werbe-Fuentes J, Gorczynski J, Goranson C, Wolff MS, Markowitz SB.

Author information

1: Center for the Biology of Natural Systems, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11365, USA. alfredo.morabia@qc.cuny.edu

Abstract

We assessed humidity-corrected particulate matter (PM(2.5)) exposure and physical activity (using global positioning system monitors and diaries) among 18 people who commuted by car to Queens College, New York, New York, for 5 days, and then switched to commuting for the next 5 days via public transportation. The PM(2.5) differed little between car and public transportation commutes (1.41 μg/M(3)·min; P = .226). Commuting by public transportation rather than by car increased energy expenditure (+124 kcal/day; P < .001) equivalent to the loss of 1 pound of body fat per 6 weeks.