Airborne Particles - Types and Health Effects

Airborne particles are solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. They can include dust, pollen, pollutants, and allergens, posing health risks when inhaled.
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Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Airborne Particles FAQ


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What is airborne particulate matter?

Airborne particulate matters, consisting of solid or liquid particles suspended into the atmosphere, may be a complex mixture of organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. Such particulates range in size from few tens of Ã…ngstroms to several hundred micrometres.

Is airborne particulate matter a carcinogen?

Airborne particulate matter is a Group 1 carcinogen. Particulates are the most harmful form (other than ultra-fines) of air pollution 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. There is no safe level of particulates.

What is the most common type of airborne particulate matter?

Additionally, sulphates and nitrate are designated as the most abundant chemical species along with coarser PM. However, the most common combination of the coarser particles consists of oxides of silicon, aluminium, calcium and iron. The size of airborne particulate matter differs over different orders of magnitude (Fig. 1.1 ).

Why are airborne particles so complex?

Airborne particles present great complexity because unlike atmospheric trace gases which have the same chemical and physical properties wherever they occur, airborne particles are in reality a suite of pollutants varying in particle size and chemical composition on a range of temporal and spatial scales.

What are airborne particles?

They include soot, ash, dust, pollen and aerosols. Airborne particles may be harmful to human health. They can play an important role in ecosystems, for example, via dust particles that add nutrient to soils and the ocean. A satellite image showing smoke plumes from fires in southern California. Satellite image courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory

Why is airborne particulate matter a pollutant?

Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a pollutant of concern not only because of its adverse effects on human health but because of its ability to reduce visibility and soil buildings and materials. It can be regarded as a suite of pollutants since PM covers a very wide range of particle sizes and also has a diverse chemical composition.

Airborne Particles References

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