The Influence of Ambient Particulate Matter on the Human Respiratory Tract in Major Academic Centers

The impact of air pollution on human health remains a critical issue. This study investigates the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 and translates measured exposure concentrations to internal human dose using the Exposure Dose Model 2 (ExDoM2). The cities analyzed (Poznań, Wrocław) were selected based on their demographic and functional significance and the structure of dominant emission sources. These are large academic centers with a significant influx of residents, leading to the seasonal increase in the number of people exposed to air pollution. The total deposited doses of PM2.5 in the human respiratory tract (HRT) for adult males varied seasonally, with the highest dose recorded in winter and autumn equal to 180 µg in Wrocław and Poznań, and the lowest in spring and summer equal to 30 µg and 65 µg in Wrocław and Poznań, respectively. These findings highlight the significant impact of seasonal variability on exposure to particulate matter and its potential health implications. In particular, the deposited doses of particulate matter in Wrocław and Poznań were found to be within a similar range during certain seasons, indicating comparable urban exposure levels. During the heating season, municipal and residential emissions related to the combustion of solid fuels in individual heat sources play a key role, while during the non-heating season, traffic emissions and secondary particulate matter resuspension are more significant. Further research is required to determine the extent to which these similarities reflect shared emission sources or meteorological conditions.