The Health Risks of Fine Dust and How to Minimize Exposure

Tiny particles in the air that can cause various health issues if inhaled.

Fine Dust FAQ

What is fine dust?

The RIVM ( more info) compares it to a “kind of junk box containing materials of different sizes and chemical compositions”. Fine dust is really just a whole collection of very small particles in the air. When physically described, we talk about the size of the dust particles and the amount of m³ particles in the air that we breathe in.

What are the components of fine dust?

In that case we look at which components the particles in the air consist of. Components of fine dust include heavy metals (arsenic, lead, nickel), water, carbon, salts, acids and a wide variety of organic substances, often the result of incomplete combustion processes (e.g. exhaust fumes from road traffic, airplanes landing and taking off etc).

What is fine dust & how does it affect the environment?

These combustion processes not only create toxic gases, but also fine dust. Fine dust refers to solid particles that can float in the air for a long time and are smaller than 10 micrometers. In addition to the man-made sources, there is also a natural occurrence of fine dust, such as fungal spores, pollen, volcanic ash and much more.

Is fine dust a type of air pollution?

You have probably heard something about fine dust (or particulate matter) in the news. However, what many people only know about fine dust is that it’s “a type of” air pollution and it’s unhealthy. But what exactly is fine dust? And what are the causes? Read more about it here.

What are the different types of fine dust?

In addition to the man-made sources, there is also a natural occurrence of fine dust, such as fungal spores, pollen, volcanic ash and much more. Fine dust is categorized into three different sizes: PM10 (PM = particulate matter), PM2.5 and PM0.1.

Why is fine dust a problem?

The microparticles that fly around in the air are respirable, that is, they are small enough to enter the human body and settle in the lungs or even enter the bloodstream. This can have serious consequences for our health. Fine dust, and the right way of dealing with it, is therefore a core challenge for the industry and the environment.