How do environmental and operational factors impact particulate matter dynamics in building construction? - Insights from real-time sensing

Construction activities are major contributors to particulate matter (PM) pollution, posing significant risks to workers and nearby populations. However, PM mitigation strategies in the complex nature of construction environments remain underexplored, with limited understanding of how environmental and operational factors jointly influence PM dynamics in real-world settings. This study employs high-resolution real-time monitoring to investigate PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 interactions within an active construction site, focusing on the roles of environmental and operational drivers. Over 28,000 measurements were collected from construction zones, complemented by external reference points. The findings reveal that smaller particles (PM1 and PM2.5) serve as critical intermediaries influencing larger particles (PM10). PM10 concentrations peaked at 1763.37 μg/m³, far exceeding regulatory thresholds. Temperature influenced PM10 primarily through its effect on PM2.5 (57 %), while construction scenarios had 72 % of their impact on PM10 mediated via PM2.5. Distinct PM relationships emerged based on activity types and worker proximity to sensors, with hazardous PM levels persisting in 81.61 % of low-activity periods, highlighting the risks of residual exposure even without active construction. This study underscores the importance of on-site, multi-indicator monitoring systems to capture dynamic PM variations and identify high-risk scenarios. By providing a detailed understanding of PM interactions in active construction settings, these findings offer a robust foundation for developing targeted mitigation strategies and advancing air quality management in construction environments.