Barking up the Right Tree: Using Tree Bark to Track Airborne Particles in School Environment and Link Science to...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Education

Background:

• Children's exposure to fine and ultrafine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM1) from traffic poses significant health and learning risks.
• Current monitoring of these pollutants and public awareness of their dangers require enhancement.
• Urban schools near traffic are particularly vulnerable to elevated air pollution levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a passive monitoring technique using bio-sensors (tree bark) to assess air quality in schools.
• To involve teachers and pupils in air quality monitoring and improvement initiatives.
• To investigate the sources and accumulation patterns of PM1 in school environments.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of passive bio-sensors (tree bark) in two urban elementary schools in Toulouse, France.
• Active air sampling for comparison.
• Analysis of bio-sensors and filters using magnetic properties, carbonaceous fraction measurements, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX).

Main Results:

• Traffic identified as the primary source of PM1, affecting both indoor and outdoor school air.
• Elevated outdoor PM levels observed in schools compared to urban background, especially during colder periods.
• Proximity to traffic and inadequate ventilation contribute to PM1 accumulation in classrooms.

Conclusions:

• Bio-sensor use empowers children to understand and address air pollution, reducing eco-anxiety.
• The passive monitoring methodology offers a practical tool for teachers to assess PM impact on student health and learning.
• This approach can be a valuable step towards better understanding and mitigating air pollution effects in educational settings across Europe.