Indoor concentrations of PM2.5 in day care centres.ʺ Environmental Health Risk V: 13

Exposure to particulate matter and in particular to fine particles (PM2.5) has been linked to indices of respiratory morbidity and mortality. In this pilot study we aimed to compare the indoor concentrations of particle pollution having an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5), between day care centres located in the Perth Metropolitan area and in the industrial area of Kwinana, Western Australia. A total of ten day care centres were monitored twice at the beginning and at the end of the sampling week. According to the results, children who attended day care centres in Kwinana were exposed to higher levels of indoor and outdoor fine particles compared with those attending day care centres in Perth. The type of floor covering, presence of cooking facilities and age of the building were significantly associated with PM2.5 concentrations. Children who live in industrial areas are exposed to higher concentrations of fine particles, which can be associated with adverse health effects