Objectives

To describe and interpret the methodologies and results of the main studies related to the monitoring of exposure of cyclists to air pollution.

Methods

Research and analysis of national and international research of the last ten years in the Cochrane, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct and Pubmed databases. The search was conducted in August and September 2017 using the following search descriptors for MeSH: air pollution, bicycle riding, environmental exposure, environmental health, exposure by inhalation, environmental pollutants, transportation, public health and toxicology. For DeCS: air Pollution, cycling, exposure to environmental risks, environmental pollutants, inhalation, transportation, public health and toxicology.

Results

Nineteen eligible published articles were identified. Most studies were conducted in Europe and the United States. Four studies have been reported in South America. Other studies seek comparisons on different bicycle routes, compare exposure during variations of the same route, and others determine the distance-exposure relationship. In the same way, variables such as vehicular traffic, distance to the emission sources and the type of bike path, play a fundamental role in the exposure to pollutants in cyclists.

Conclusions

Several variables were found that influence, directly or indirectly, the cyclists exposure to air pollution, as well as some factors that can reduce this exposure.