From Air to Health: Measuring PM 2.5 and Understanding Its Impact on Human Health FHCC 2026
Brief Overview
This workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals and practical laboratory techniques used for gravimetric measurement of PM2.5, which is the gold-standard method for measuring fine particulate matter in air pollution. Participants will learn about the health impacts of PM2.5, principles of low-volume air sampling, and essential laboratory procedures including filter pre-conditioning, microbalance weighing, sampler setup, and QA/QC practices.
Through demonstrations and guided activities, the workshop aims to strengthen national capacity in environmental exposure assessment and support research and surveillance efforts aligned with climate and health priorities.
Rationale / Background
Air pollution constitutes one of the major environmental health risks, contributing to acute respiratory infection, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis (1). Among air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is of particular concern, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particles of aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) causing a wide range of health problems. The toxicity of PM is governed by its size, composition, and capacity to generate reactive oxygen species, and elevated concentrations are strongly associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, including ischemic heart disease, and are associated with increased mortality (2).
Facilitators
Dr. Junaid Iqbal
Assistant Professor
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
Aga Khan University, Karachi
Mr. Asif Ahmad
Research Associate
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health
Aga Khan University, Karachi
The World Health Organization reports that ambient (outdoor) air pollution in rural and urban areas caused 4.2 million premature deaths globally in 2019 (3). According to the World Air Quality Report 2020, 37 of the 40 most polluted cities worldwide are in South Asia, where air pollution accounts for around 40 million disability-adjusted life years and approximately 11% of all fatalities (4).
The situation in Pakistan is similarly alarming: an estimated 114,000 deaths in 2019 were attributable to PM2.5, reducing average life expectancy by 2.7 years (1). According to IQAir, Pakistan recorded an annual PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 µg/m³ in 2024 — within the “unhealthy” category (55.5–150.4 µg/m³) — ranking it the third most polluted country globally that year (5).
Despite this burden, Pakistan continues to lack routine, real-time environmental monitoring conducted using globally accepted methodologies, limiting the country's capacity to generate the reliable exposure data needed to inform climate and health policy. Strengthening capacity in internationally recognized gravimetric methods (gold standard) is therefore essential to closing this gap and establishing sustainable, evidence-based environmental surveillance.
The purpose of this workshop is to build practical laboratory skills that support environmental exposure assessment, research, and surveillance efforts aligned with climate–health priorities.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe the major sources of PM2.5 and their impact on human health.
- Understand the principles of air quality monitoring and environmental exposure assessment.
- Explain the operation of low-volume PM2.5 air samplers and gravimetric measurement techniques.
- Demonstrate filter conditioning, handling, weighing, and quality assurance procedures.
- Calculate and interpret PM2.5 concentrations using gravimetric methods.
- Relate air quality measurements to public health outcomes, environmental surveillance, and policy applications.
- Discuss emerging technologies and future directions in air quality monitoring and exposure science.
Format and Duration
- Total Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Format: Mini-lectures, demonstrations, and guided experience
Proposed Agenda
| Time (Minutes) | Components |
|---|---|
| 15 |
Introduction: Climate change, air pollution, and health linkages |
| 25 | Fundamentals of PM2.5 sampling methods and exposure pathways |
| 40 |
Demonstration: Filter pre-conditioning, sampler setup, and laboratory safety |
| 30 | Weighing workflow, filter handling, and data recording |
| 20 | Calculations, QA/QC procedures, and interpretation relative to WHO standards |
| 20 | Participant feedback |
Who Should Attend
- Environmental health and atmospheric research professionals.
- Laboratory scientists and technologists.
- Public health and epidemiology trainees.
- Students in environmental sciences and related fields.
- Professionals involved in exposure monitoring and climate–health assessments.
Expected Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate practical competence in gravimetric PM2.5 measurement techniques.
- Strengthen laboratory capacity for climate-related exposure assessment and research.
- Enhance readiness for environmental surveillance activities and academic projects.