A new study is reported to be initiated to investigate whether cycling to and from work is a health hazard.

The Queensland University of Technology PhD study, led by Thomas Cole-Hunter, quoted, "I want to find out if the pollution cyclists breathe in is potentially harmful to their health," he said.

He is considering cyclists who commute into Brisbane's CBD to analyze and perform necessary test in order to investigate the air pollution they breathe and the related health effects.

In addition, as a part of the study, he also seeks to compare pollution exposure experienced on off-road on bike paths to that of on-road lanes shared with buses, cars and trucks, and if wearing a respirator decreases the effects of exposure.

However Mr. Cole-Hunter posted that the news may not be completely bad for cyclists, as they sat above heavy gases which settled close to the ground.

He explained that the main problem was with ultra-fine particles, as small as one- billionth of a meter as they can be inhaled directly into the lungs, hampering the task of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occurs between air and blood.

To participate, one can contact Mr. Cole-Hunter at t.cole-hunter@qut.edu.au.