what is particulate matter pm

What is Particulate Matter (PM)?

PM, Particulate matter, or Particulate is a mixture of liquid and solid particles that are suspended in the air. They can range from microscopic particles to particles like smoke, soot, liquid particles, and dust that can be seen by the naked eye. These are categorized into 3 categories, based on their size. 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 person’s 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 are 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, 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. PM is one of the air pollutants that are included in air pollution. Many other air pollutants together form the broad category of air pollution. These pollutants include Carbon monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, Carbon Dioxide, etc. PM is nothing but a measure to measure air pollution along with other air pollutants.

 

air pollution and particulate matters

Types of Particulate Matter

For air quality regulation, particles are divided into three
categories based on their diameter. These are:

pm1 size

PM1

These are ultra-fine particles with a size of 1 micron or less. Examples: Airborne pathogens, bacteria, viruses, etc.

pm2.5 size

PM2.5

These are fine breathable particles with a size of 2.5 microns or less. Examples: Smoke, tobacco smoke, haze, etc

pm10 size

PM10

The inhalable particles with a size of 10 microns or less come under this category. Examples: Windblown dust, mold spores, pollen, etc.

Where does PM come from and its main sources?

1. Primary particulate matter is directly released into the atmosphere. 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 be generated in the air as a result of gas chemical changes. They are generated indirectly when gases emitted by burning fuels combine with sunlight and water vapor. These can be produced by the combustion of gasoline in automobiles, power plants, and other industrial activities.

 

PM – Air Quality Guidelines

PM Air Quality Guidelines

What level of 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. If the quantity reaches or exceeds 35 μg/m3 in 24 hours, the air is classified as hazardous and might create problems for persons who already have breathing problems, such as asthma. Prolonged exposure to levels exceeding 50 μg/m3 can result in major health problems and untimely death.

0-50

Good

51-100

Moderate

101-200

Poor

201-300

Unhealthy

301-400

Severe

401-500

Hazardous

0-30

Good

31-60

Moderate

61-90

Poor

91-120

Unhealthy

121-250

Severe

250+

Hazardous

Why you should care about PM?

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

problem of eyes

Irritation
in the eyes

irritation of noise

Irritation in
the nose

irritation of throat

Irritation in
the throat

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.

sick due to pm air pollution

 

 

 

 

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. People with respiratory and heart conditions, children, and the elderly may be more vulnerable to PM2.5. 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 PM exposure?

PM can be present in both indoor and outdoor environments. 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, proper measures can be taken to reduce the levels.

air purifier as the solution for indoor air pollution

 

 

Outdoor Solution

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

N95 air pollution mask

PM2.5 Air Quality Monitor

Prana Air Pocket Monitor allows you to check real-time PM2.5 pollution levels indoors and outdoors. Our pocket-sized monitor is the smallest and most convenient device that fits effortlessly into your pocket.

 

pm2.5 air quality monitor

Choose Your Air Quality Monitor To
Measure PM

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