Characterization of Indoor PM10, PM2.5, and Ultrafine Particles in Elementary School Classrooms: A Review

The significance of particulate matter (PM) in elementary schools is underscored by the presence of a large number of young children who are more susceptible to indoor air pollution. For the first time, the state of knowledge all over the world regarding PM10, PM2.5, and ultrafine particles in classrooms of elementary schools with students whose age ranged from 5 to 13 years is reviewed in this article, with an emphasis on indoor classroom concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, the sources, compositions, and health effects of PM10 and PM2.5, and the influencing factors of classroom PM10 and PM2.5 (building age, seasons, meteorology, ventilation rates, and indoor activities) and a discussion of ultrafine particles. In the summary, the unique characteristics of indoor particle pollution in elementary schools are synthesized, followed by strategies to minimize exposure of children to PM at schools. Finally, the improvements in future research designs on PM in elementary schools are recommended.