A systematic literature review on indoor PM(2.5) concentrations and personal exposure in urban residential buildings

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5μm (PM(2.5)) is currently a major air pollutant that has been raising public attention. Studies have found that short/long-term exposure to PM(2.5) lead detrimental health effects. Since people in most region of the world spend a large proportion of time in dwellings, personal exposure to PM(2.5) in home microenvironment should be carefully investigated. The objective of this review is to investigate and summary studies in terms of personal exposure to indoor PM(2.5) pollutants from the literature between 2000 and 2021. Factors from both outdoor and indoor environment that have impact on indoor PM(2.5) levels were explicated. Exposure studies were verified relating to individual activity pattern and exposure models. It was found that abundant investigations in terms of personal exposure to indoor PM(2.5) is affected by factors including concentration level, exposure duration and personal diversity. Personal exposure models, including microenvironment model, mathematical model, stochastic model and other simulation models of particle deposition in different regions of human airway are reviewed. Further studies joining indoor measurement and simulation of PM(2.5) concentration and estimation of deposition in human respiratory tract are necessary for individual health protection.