Particulate Matter as a Health Hazard

What is particulate matter? Particulate matter is a term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.  Particulate matter is a mixture with physical and chemical characteristics varying from location to location. There are two types of particles that circulate through the air, visible and those that are not visible to the naked eye. Particles that can be seen include dust, smoke, dirt and many more. “Particles can either be directly emitted into the air through primary particulate matter. Or be formed in the atmosphere from gaseous precursors such as sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ammonia and non-methane volatile organic compounds which are considered secondary particles.”

There are many health hazards and effects that particulate matter can have on people. The effects of particulate matter can be caused by the exposure over time, whether it is short term, or long term. “Particulate matter can cause respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity, such as aggravation of asthma, respiratory symptoms and an increase in hospital admissions. It can also cause mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory disease and from lung cancer.” There are groups of people who are more susceptible to getting ill from particulate matter, than others. People who have pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, and children are more vulnerable to becoming ill if exposed to a dangerous particulate matter. “It is estimated that approximately 3% of cardiopulmonary and 5% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to particulate matter globally. A recent study indicates that the burden of disease is related to ambient air pollution, may be even higher.” Particulate matter plays a large role in air quality and pollution. “There is consistent evidence that lower air pollution levels following a sustained, long term intervention result in health benefits for the population, with improvements in population health occurring soon after the reduction in pollution.”

http://www.epa.gov/pm/basic.html

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/189051/Health-effects-of-particulate-matter-final-Eng.pdf