Release and health outcomes of exposure to chalk particles in classrooms: a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT

This systematic review explores the release and health outcomes of exposure to chalk particles in classrooms. A literature search was conducted on Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science. Chalk particles contribute significantly to poor indoor air quality in classrooms. Higher concentrations of PM_2.5 chalk particles were found in the front row (14.25 µg/m³) and near the chalkboard (19.07 µg/m³). Inhalation and dermal are significant exposure routes; hence, teachers and learners are at risk of developing respiratory and skin disorders. Inhalation of chalk particles correlates with reduced lung function in teachers and learners. The release and size of chalk particles depend on the activities, type of chalk sticks, and texture of the chalkboards. Wiping the chalkboard releases more chalk particles of smaller size (3.85–9.3 µm) than writing (10.57–92.91 µm). A shift from chalk sticks and chalkboards in classrooms is necessary to mitigate the associated health risks.

KEYWORDS:

• Particulate matter
• chalkboard
• chalk sticks
• erasable whiteboards
• indoor air quality
• spirometry

Acknowledgements

Appreciation to Yonda “YoYo” Nokhwethu for proofreading the early versions of this manuscript and to the editor and anonymous reviewers for their constructive criticism of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

S.J.M. conceptualised the paper and compiled the first draft of the manuscript. All authors participated in the literature search and review. R.M. and J.S.J. revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of this manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, (S.J.M) upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The open access fee was paid by the University of the Witwatersrand through the South African National Library and information Consortium (SANLiC) open access agreement. This research was funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, with grant numbers: TTK210301588167 (138340) and PMDS2205046216.