DUST HEALTH IN THE LONDON UNDERGROUND

The millions of passengers who use the London Underground each year and the workers who service, maintain, and run it will be interested to read the survey by Seaton et al¹ which assesses health risks from tunnel dust. They can be reassured that exposures are “unlikely to represent a significant cumulative risk” to health. Concentrations of dust as mass (PM_2.5) and particle numbers were measured in various underground stations and train cabs; their size and composition were analysed, and in vitro toxicological testing conducted. The dust showed cytotoxic potential at high doses consistent with its composition (two-thirds iron oxide), but exposures were well below the occupational exposure standard for welding …