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What is Particulate Matter (PM)?

PM, Particulate matter, or Particulate is a mixture of liquid and solid particles that are suspended in the air. So, they can range from microscopic particles to particles like smoke, soot, liquid particles, and dust. And it can be seen by the naked eye. Hence, these categorized into 3 categories, based on their size. Thus, these are PM10 (coarse, visible to the naked eye), PM2.5 (fine particles), and PM1 (ultra-fine particles).According to the AQLI (Air Quality Life Index), Particulate air pollution reduces the average persons life by 2.2 years, which is more than deadly infectious illnesses like HIV/AIDS and TB, cigarette smoking, or even war. Some parts of the world more affected than others. For instance, in the U.S.A, where pollution is lower, life expectancy is reduced by only 0.1 years, compared to the WHO standard. In China and India, where pollution levels are significantly higher. Hence, the lowering particle concentrations to the WHO limit would enhance life expectancy by 2.6 and 5.9 years, respectively.

Are Particulates and Air Pollution the same thing?

PM or particulates are fine breathable particles suspended in the air. And, PM is one of the air pollutants that are included in air pollution. As, many other air pollutants together form the broad category of air pollution. These pollutants include Carbon monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, Carbon Dioxide, etc. Hence, PM is nothing but a measure to measure air pollution along with other air pollutants.
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Types of Particulate Matter (PM)

For air quality regulation, particles divided into three categories based on their diameter. These are:
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These are ultra-fine particles with a size of 1 micron or less. Examples: Airborne pathogens, bacteria, viruses, etc.
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These are fine breathable particles with a size of 2.5 microns or less. Examples: Smoke, tobacco smoke, haze, etc
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The inhalable particles with a size of 10 microns or less come under this category. Examples: Windblown dust, mold spores, pollen, etc.

Where does Particulate Matter (PM) come from and its main sources?

1. Primary particulate matter (PM) is directly released into the atmosphere. Because, they are produced by a multitude of sources, including cars, trucks, buses, factories, building sites, replanted fields, dirt roads, rock crushers, and wood burning.
2. Secondary particles may generate in the air as a result of gas chemical changes. Since, they are generated indirectly when gases emitted by burning fuels combine with sunlight and water vapor. Also, these can produce by the combustion of gasoline in automobiles, power plants, and other industrial activities.

PM - Air Quality Guidelines

PM2.5 (µg/m³)PM10 (µg/m³)
Annual24hrsAnnual24hrs
Indian (CPCB)406060100
USA (US EPA)156550150
Europe (UK EPA)--3050
WHO10252050

What level of Particulate Matter (PM) is unhealthy?

Most studies show that PM2.5 levels of 12 µg/m3 or below are deemed healthy, with little to no danger from exposure. But, if the quantity reaches or exceeds 35 µg/m3 in 24 hours, the air is classified as hazardous. Hence, it might create problems for persons who already have breathing problems, such as asthma. Moreover, prolonged exposure to levels exceeding 50 µg/m3 can result in major health problems and untimely death.

AQI PM 2.5

0-50
Good
51-100
Moderate
101-200
Poor
201-300
Unhealthy
301-400
Severe
401-500
Hazardous

Why you should care about

Particulate Matter (PM)?

Particulates are smaller, microscopic particles invisible to the naked eye. Thus, PM1 and PM2.5 can enter your bloodstream via respiration. Further, Short-term and long-term exposure to PM has a variety of health effects including various cardiorespiratory diseases. Hence, short-term impacts include irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat. And long-term impacts are permanent respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, heart diseases, and heart failure.

Irritation in the eyes

Irritation in the eyes

Irritation in the nose

Irritation in the nose

Irritation in the throat

Irritation in the throat

Asthma Problem

Asthma Problem

Heart diseases and Heart failure

Heart diseases and Heart failure

Can it make me sick by PM?

Without a doubt, YES! Even in small amounts, particulate can make you feel uneasy or sick.

Health Impacts of PM on Human Health

The ability of a particle to evade the body's defences and enter the lungs deeply increases with particle size. But, people with respiratory and heart conditions, children, and the elderly may be more vulnerable to PM2.5. Furthermore, Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter may also be associated with increased cases of chronic bronchitis, impaired lung function, and an increase in mortality rates from cardiorespiratory disease, according to research.

How to reduce Particulate Matter (PM) exposure?

PM can be present in both indoor and outdoor environments. So, you can easily monitor the PM levels in both environments using a PM air quality monitor.

Indoor solution

PM (Particulate Matter) can be easily monitored indoors. After the monitoring, if the levels exceed the limits so the proper measures can be taken to reduce the levels.

Outdoor Solution

We have a variety of outdoor air quality monitors that can measure the PM levels outdoors. As, when the levels exceed the limits, you can wear anti-pollution N-95 mask. As to prevent you from various hazards that can be caused to the PM / dust exposure.

Choose YourAir Quality MonitorTo Measure PM in Air

a woman coughing due to air pollution