Value of the data •The data is valuable to researchers interested in understanding the health effects of particulate matter by means of experimental studies with animal models. •The variables described are the concentration, dose, and inhalation rate used in different toxicological experiments with mice and rats performed by instillation and inhalation. •This data consists of a normalized collection of different experimental protocols of exposure to particulate matter that is useful for comparing experiments findings. •Normalization of the exposure variables allows the ability to compare results to reported environmental particulate matter concentrations. •Comparisons between the results from different exposure protocols and comparison with environmental concentrations allows for a better understanding of the exposure protocols that can improve experimental design of future studies.