7 / 29 / 25, 10:20 AM Particulate matter concentrations in UK schools: A nationwide study into the influence of ambient PM2.5 and the resulting exposur …
Abstract
This paper analyses the concentration of particulate matter PM from monitors deployed, by the Schools ' Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education Initiative( SAMHE), to 490 schools across the United Kingdom throughout the academic year 2023 – 2024. The data shows that the PM concentration in schools is closely correlated to the ambient outdoor PM concentrations. Whilst the evidence gathered indicates that sources of PM within schools contribute to the concentrations, it is shown that outdoor sources are the dominant signature within the PM concentration measurements made indoors. Moreover, over the academic year, outdoor PM events— periods of elevated outdoor PM concentration— are shown to account for
2.5 approximately 41 % of the total potential exposure, whilst occurring on only around 13 % of schooldays. These, and other findings presented herein, have important implications for school air quality and how air quality within schools, and beyond, is managed.
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5 2.5
Graphical abstract
Download: Download high-res image( 283KB) Download: Download full-size image
Introduction
The detrimental effects of particulate matter( PM) on health are well documented and are linked to adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health effects( Kim et al., 2015). Particular attention is given to the harmful effects of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm( PM) as these fine particles can penetrate deeper into the lung, with a proportion of ultrafine particles( PM) crossing over into the bloodstream to reach other organs( Exley et al., 2022). Children are
0.1 more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of PM as they breathe in a larger amount of air per
2.5 unit body mass compared to adults, which can have damaging effects on their developing immune systems and lungs( Rees, 2017). Long-term exposure to PM is associated with negative effects on lung development and with the exacerbation of asthma in children( Son, 2023; Exley et al., 2022). This can result in increased school absenteeism, an increased need for doctor visits, hospitalisation and is detrimental to children ' s well-being( Zhang et al., 2022). Beyond the consequences on
2.5
2.5
https:// www. sciencedirect. com / science / article / abs / pii / S0048969725005108 2 / 8