Particulate matter concentrations at public schools located near major urban roads in Bogota, Colombia: a pilot study

A pilot study, in which we conducted inhalable particulate matter (PM10) measurements in four public elementary schools in Bogota, is presented. Three of these schools are located alongside major urban roads with different types of public transportation. The remainder school is located alongside a rural road. PM10 measurements were carried out using both gravimetric and real time techniques. Average PM10 concentrations found in the schools ranged from 55 ug m(-3) to 91 ug m(-3). These pollutant concentrations are above the World Health Organization reference values. Significant differences in PM10 concentrations were observed between the schools located in urban roads and the school located in the semi-rural area. The present work corresponds to the base line results of a longitudinal study that is still being conducted. These results demonstrate the importance of continuing developing research aimed at characterizing the range of atmospheric pollutants at major city roads environs in Bogota.