Particulate matter (PM) is an air pollutant of great and increasing concern to human health. Particle properties depend not only on their originating sources, but also on the dynamic physico-chemical processes that follow their formation. Personal exposure to PM depends on the lifestyle of each individual and the different microenvironments frequented. A holistic and accurate characterization of both outdoor and indoor PM is essential to better assess total personal exposure to PM, as well as the consequent health effects. Such knowledge is crucial for the proper development of effective mitigation strategies. This Special Issue intends to compile high quality research on PM characterization in indoor and outdoor microenvironments, to support the assessment of integrated personal exposure. Indoor particulate pollution is highly site-specific, since some sources are uniquely building-related. Thus, studies with site-specific measurements (e.g., residence, workplace, and public building) are welcome. Detailed characterization of short-term pollution events such as specific indoor activity (e.g. cooking, cleaning, smoking, and dust resuspension) will be valued. Concerning outdoor PM, strong consideration will be given to studies discussing urban and suburban measurements, at a wide variety of sites (e.g. roadside, background and green spaces). Although commuting accounts for a short period of a person’s daily time, its contribution to the total exposure to PM may be disproportionally high. Thus, research studies in transport modes also deserve attention in this Special Issue. Investigation of indoor-to-outdoor PM relationships will be highly valuable. Finally, a particular focus will be given for studies that establish actions towards an effective reduction of PM levels, by identifying and encouraging the application of practical mitigation strategies. This Special Issue invites research in the areas of particulate air pollution, with topics of interest including, but not limited to, those indicated in the keywords.
Keywords: particulate matter pollution; air monitoring; exposure assessment; particle chemical composition; particle size distribution; dosimetry; health risk assessment; source apportionment; air pollution mitigation strategies.