Creative Airs: Using Art to Raise Awareness About Particulate Matter Pollution

This scoping review examines how art has been used as an educational and awareness-raising strategy against particulate matter (PM) pollution. PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the SPIDER framework were applied to structure a search of the Scopus and ScienceDirect databases, identifying 19 studies exploring diverse forms of artistic expression linked to environmental awareness. The documented interventions include immersive installations, participatory theater, murals, music, photography, eco-art design, poetry, and self-published publications (zines), encompassing experiences in urban contexts in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. These artistic practices were aimed at diverse audiences—from vulnerable communities and schoolchildren to citizens in public spaces—and acted as mediators between scientific knowledge and social perceptions of environmental risk. The results show that art enhances ecological literacy, stimulates citizen participation, and contributes to the construction of effective and collective responses to the invisible effects of PM. This review highlights the value of art as a channel for integrating knowledge, generating critical awareness, and supporting innovative educational strategies in the face of complex environmental challenges.