[Investigating the trend of hourly changes of air pollutants in Tehran during 2004 to 2008 and exercise recommendations for athletes and patients]

ABSTRACT

Regarding negative effects of air pollution on health and athletic performance, this study was run to determine the trend of hourly changes of air pollutants in Tehran [2004 to 2008] and recommend exercise advices for athletes and patients. After getting data from 7 air pollutant monitoring stations, the hourly means of air pollutant concentrations were measured and converted to Air Quality index [AQI] values. To find the cleanest and the most polluted hours in exercise places [parks and stadiums], map of Tehran air pollution was created using data from monitoring stations and Arc GIS software. Exercise advices were recommended according to latest American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM] standpoints. Fine particles less than 10 micrometer [PM10], carbon monoxide [CO] and ozone [O3] were major air pollutants in Tehran. Hourly concentration changes of PM10 were minimal and beyond the desired level. Overall, the cleanest hours were early morning [before 7 am] and then 17 to 18. It is better to perform physical activities in early hours of morning [before 7 am] in Tehran. Regarding the existence of air pollution in all hours of day and night, efforts to reduce air pollution are critical