Web application for particulate matter deposition quantifier: an easy and accessible tool for assessment while...

This study addressed the development of a user-friendly web-based tool to quantify the deposition of particulate matter (PM) during exercise followed by a functional test. The "PM-Quantifier" was developed with open-source technologies and hosted on an institutional server for long-term sustainability. The system was based on a mathematical model for particle deposition from user input, including, age, height, sex, as well as the particle concentration. The exercise parameters include mean minute ventilation (V˙_E) or heart rate values of exercise, and the duration of the task. The accuracy was confirmed by cross-checking against a reference Python script and tested with a large Monte Carlo Method-generated dataset (n = 20,000). PM-Quantifier is hosted at the Federal University domain and may be accessed on https://pmquantifier.ufsc.br/ by desktop and mobile devices. Lastly, the functional tests were also performed to verify the potential use of the PM-Quantifier for scientific purposes. Indeed, based on our regression model, the total particle deposition during a simulated physical exercise task was mostly explained by V˙_E (52.0 % for males, and 52.8 % for females) and duration of the task (47.5 % and 46.7 %, respectively). The PM-Quantifier was successfully developed and tested, being considered an easy-to-use and friendly tool for scientific and general population use. Our functional tests outcomes are aligned with the best scientific knowledge about air pollution and particle deposition while exercising, in what the exposure duration and V˙_E are the primary drivers of particle deposition.