Fine particulate matter, commonly referred to as PM2.5, is a type of particle that has a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. To put that into perspective, the diameter of a human hair is about 20 times larger than PM2.5. This type of particle is particularly concerning because of the health risks associated with its size and properties. Due to its minuscule size, PM2.5 can penetrate deep into our respiratory tract and even our circulatory system, leading to harmful health effects. Adverse health outcomes linked to PM2.5 exposure include:

• Airway inflammation [6]

• Greater susceptibility to lung infections [6]

• Worsening of pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma [7]

• Difficulty breathing and impaired lung health [7]

• Greater risk of non-fatal heart attacks [7]

• Frequent headaches [4]

• Congested or difficulty breathing [4]

• Dizziness [4]

• Lethargy and drowsiness [9]

• Reduced concentration [10]

• Decline in decision-making ability leading to poorer academic and work performance [11][12]

Infographic outlining the health effects of high indoor CO2 levels. Information contained in this infographic is taken from Health Canada [4], ScienceDirect [9], National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) [10] [11], and Wiley Online Library [12].