Microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the Earth's atmosphere
This article is about particles suspended in air. For general discussion of particulate types, see Particle § Distribution of particles. For other uses, see Particulates (disambiguation).
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This diagram shows types, and size distribution in micrometres (μm), of atmospheric particulate matter.
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Particulates or atmospheric particulate matter (see below for other names) are microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. The term aerosol commonly refers to the particulate/air mixture, as opposed to the particulate matter alone.[1] Sources of particulate matter can be natural or anthropogenic.[2] They have impacts on climate and precipitation that adversely affect human health, in ways additional to direct inhalation.
PM2.5 and PM10 compared with a human hair in a graphic from the Environmental Protection Agency
Types of atmospheric particles include suspended particulate matter; thoracic and respirable particles;[3] inhalable coarse particles, designated PM10, which are coarse particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers (μm) or less; fine particles, designated PM2.5, with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less;[4] ultrafine particles, with a diameter of 100 nm or less; and soot.
Airborne particulate matter is a Group 1 carcinogen.[5] Particulates are the most harmful form (other than ultra-fines) of air pollution[6] as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and brain from blood streams, causing health problems such as heart disease, lung disease, and premature death.[7] There is no safe level of particulates. A 2013 study concluded that "particulate matter air pollution contributes to lung cancer incidence in Europe".[8] Worldwide, exposure to PM2.5 contributed to 4.1 million deaths from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic lung disease, and respiratory infections in 2016.[9] Overall, ambient particulate matter is one of the leading risk factor for premature death globally.[10]
^Seinfeld J, Pandis S (1998). Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change (2nd ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-471-17816-3.
^Plainiotis S, Pericleous KA, Fisher BE, Shier L (January 2010). "Application of Lagrangian particle dispersion models to air quality assessment in the Trans-Manche region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais (France) and Kent (Great Britain)" (PDF). International Journal of Environment and Pollution. 40 (1/2/3): 160–74. doi:10.1504/IJEP.2010.030891.
^Brown JS, Gordon T, Price O, Asgharian B (April 2013). "Thoracic and respirable particle definitions for human health risk assessment". Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 10: 12. doi:10.1186/1743-8977-10-12. PMC 3640939. PMID 23575443.
^US EPA, OAR (19 April 2016). "Particulate Matter (PM) Basics". US EPA. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
^"EHP – Outdoor Particulate Matter Exposure and Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". ehp.niehs.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
^Wasley, Andrew; Heal, Alexandra; Harvey, Fiona; Lainio, Mie (13 June 2019). "Revealed: UK government failing to tackle rise of serious air pollutant". The Guardian.
^US EPA, OAR (26 April 2016). "Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter (PM)". US EPA. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
^Cite error: The named reference Lancet71013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"STATE OF GLOBAL AIR/2018 A SPECIAL REPORT ON GLOBAL EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTION AND ITS DISEASE BURDEN" (PDF). Health Effects Institute. 2018.
^"The Weight of Numbers: Air Pollution and PM2.5". Undark. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
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high-efficiency particulate air) filter, also known as high-efficiency particulate absorbing filter[citation needed] and high-efficiency particulate arrestance...
monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane and chlorofluorocarbons), particulates (both organic and inorganic), and biological molecules. Air pollution...
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is composed of particles may be referred to as being particulate. However, the noun particulate is most frequently used to refer to pollutants in the...
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A particulate matter sampler is an instrument for measuring the properties (such as mass concentration or chemical composition) of particulates in the...
have also been developed which also remove particulates from engine exhaust; since most of these particulates are unburned hydrocarbons, they can be burned...
The term aerosol commonly refers to the mixture of particulates in air, and not to the particulate matter alone. Examples of natural aerosols are fog...
body. Nozzles have a tendency to plug from particulates that are in the recycled liquid and/or particulates that are in the gas stream. The best solution...
contaminants as well Acoustic cleaning, the use of sound waves to shake particulates loose from surfaces Ultrasonic cleaning, using ultrasound, usually from...
acidification. Additionally, most air pollution deaths are due to fossil fuel particulates and noxious gases. It is estimated that this costs over 3% of the global...
inclined plate settler (IPS) is a type of clarifier designed to remove particulates from liquids. Lamella clarifiers can be used in a range of industries...
functions as neutral ground, and that pulls the particulates into the bioreactor. (These airborne particulates consist of inert materials [dust, pollen, etc...
analyses, exposure to harmful particulates caused lower game scores. Airborne particulate matter is a Group 1 carcinogen. Particulates are the most harmful form...
less particulate emissions than disc brakes. Under the provisionally agreed Euro 7 standard electric cars have a lower limit of brake particulates. Electric...
from ancient Greek, meaning small looking, referring to the fineness of particulates silico-: from Latin, silicon volcano: from Latin, referring to volcano...
Smoke is a suspension of airborne particulates and gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion or pyrolysis, together with the quantity of air that...
significant fire hazard and source of occupational dust exposure. Sawdust, as particulates, is the main component of particleboard. Research on health hazards comes...
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