Meghan Hodges
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. PM10 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less. Sources of PM10 include emissions from the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel or wood, construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, industrial sources, wind-blown dust, pollen, and fragments of bacteria. The health effects of long-term PM10 exposure are not yet fully understood, although studies suggest a link between PM10 exposure and respiratory issues, particularly in vulnerable groups such as the young, elderly, and those with respiratory problems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less that are inhalable into the lungs and can induce adverse health effects |
| Composition | Mixture of solids and aerosols composed of small droplets of liquid, dry solid fragments, and solid cores with liquid coatings |
| Health Effects | Short-term exposure associated with worsening of respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); long-term exposure linked to respiratory mortality |
| Sources | Combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, or wood; construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, industrial sources, wind-blown dust, pollen, and bacterial fragments |
| Formation | Primary particles emitted directly from sources; secondary particles formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions of gases |
| Diameter | Generally 10 micrometers and smaller |
| Comparison with PM2.5 | PM2.5 particles are finer and more likely to deposit on the deeper parts of the lung; PM10 deposits on the surfaces of the larger airways of the upper lung region |
| UK Annual Average Concentrations | Urban background sites: 11.8 µg/m3 in 2024; Roadside sites: 16.3 µg/m3 in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
- PM10 is particulate matter 10 micrometres or less in diameter
- Sources of PM10 pollution include construction, landfills, agriculture, and vehicle emissions
- Health effects of PM10 exposure include respiratory issues, inflammation, and tissue damage in the lungs
- The California Air Resources Board is concerned about airborne particles and their health effects
- Urban background and roadside PM10 pollution levels have decreased over time
PM10 is particulate matter 10 micrometres or less in diameter
PM10 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less. It is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, also known as particle pollution. PM10 is inhalable and can be drawn deep into the lungs, potentially causing adverse health effects. It is produced by a wide range of industrial processes and natural sources, including combustion, bulk material handling, and minerals processing.
PM10 is a component of outdoor air pollution, which has been linked to various health issues. Short-term exposure to PM10 has been associated with the worsening of respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This can lead to hospitalisations and emergency department visits. The deposition of particles on the lung surface can induce tissue damage and inflammation.
The sources of PM10 include emissions from the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, and wood. Additionally, construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, industrial activities, and wind-blown dust contribute to PM10 pollution. It is worth noting that PM10 particles may also be formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions involving gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
The effects of long-term exposure to PM10 are less clear compared to PM2.5. However, several studies suggest a potential link between prolonged PM10 exposure and respiratory mortality. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded in a 2015 review that particulate matter in outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer.
PM10 particles can affect both the quality of the air and visibility. They tend to remain in the air for extended periods before being washed away by rain or snow. These particles may settle on land or be re-entrained. In water, they can settle, dissolve, or undergo both processes. PM10 can impact humans and animals, with potential physical effects on the lungs and absorption into the bloodstream.
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Sources of PM10 pollution include construction, landfills, agriculture, and vehicle emissions
PM10 refers to inhalable particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less. It is a common air pollutant that can negatively impact human health and the environment. Short-term exposure to PM10 has been linked to the worsening of respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The effects of long-term exposure are less clear, but studies suggest a potential link to respiratory mortality.
Agriculture is another significant source of PM10 pollution, as activities such as tilling fields and harvesting crops can stir up large amounts of dust and other particles. Vehicle emissions, particularly from the combustion of gasoline, diesel fuel, and oil, contribute to both PM2.5 and PM10 pollution. These emissions contain fine particles and gaseous pollutants that can form secondary particles in the atmosphere.
Additionally, natural sources such as wind-blown dust from open lands, pollen, and wildfires can contribute to PM10 levels. These particles can have adverse effects on human health, especially for individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, infants, children, and older adults.
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Health effects of PM10 exposure include respiratory issues, inflammation, and tissue damage in the lungs
PM10 refers to inhalable particles with diameters of 10 micrometres or smaller. These particles are produced by the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, or wood, as well as construction, industrial sources, wildfires, and more. Due to their minuscule size, these particles can be inhaled and cause serious health issues, especially in the respiratory system.
PM10 particles predominantly affect the upper region of the lung, depositing on the surfaces of the larger airways. This deposition can induce tissue damage and inflammation in the lungs. Scientific studies have also linked PM10 exposure to lung histopathological alterations, with in vivo findings showing that mice exposed to PM10 exhibited airway inflammation and pathological alterations in lung tissue.
The adverse health effects of PM10 exposure are particularly pronounced in vulnerable populations, including children, infants, and older adults. Children and infants are more susceptible due to their faster breathing rates, increased outdoor activities, smaller body sizes, and immature immune systems. Similarly, older adults, especially those with chronic heart or lung conditions, are at a heightened risk of experiencing the negative consequences of PM10 inhalation.
While the specific mechanisms driving the health impacts of PM10 exposure require further investigation, the available evidence underscores the significance of mitigating PM10 pollution to safeguard public health, particularly for vulnerable individuals prone to respiratory issues, inflammation, and potential tissue damage in the lungs.
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The California Air Resources Board is concerned about airborne particles and their health effects
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is an agency that is committed to protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs to combat climate change. CARB has been working to reduce air pollution for the past half century, and its efforts have laid the foundation for continued progress in the next 50 years.
Despite these efforts, millions of Californians, especially those in the Los Angeles area and the San Joaquin Valley, still live with the worst air quality in the country. Over 90% of Californians breathe unhealthy levels of one or more air pollutants during some part of the year. CARB identifies the pollutants that pose the greatest health risks, such as diesel exhaust particles, benzene in gasoline, and formaldehyde in consumer products.
Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. PM10 refers to inhalable particles with diameters of 10 micrometres and smaller. PM10 sources include dust from construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, industrial sources, wind-blown dust, pollen, and fragments of bacteria.
PM10 can induce adverse health effects, particularly for older adults with chronic heart or lung disease, children, and asthmatics. Short-term exposure to PM10 has been associated with respiratory symptoms and restricted activity days. Long-term exposure to PM10 has been linked to respiratory mortality.
CARB is concerned about airborne particles, including PM10, because of their detrimental effects on the health of Californians and the environment. The organization establishes health-based ambient air quality standards to identify safe levels of outdoor pollutants, including PM10. These standards help protect public health and ensure that all Californians benefit from CARB's efforts to improve air quality.
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Urban background and roadside PM10 pollution levels have decreased over time
Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. PM pollution is made up of many chemical species, including inorganic ions, metallic compounds, elemental carbon, organic compounds, and compounds from the earth’s crust. PM10 refers to inhalable particles with diameters of 10 micrometres or smaller. Sources of PM10 include emissions from the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, or wood, as well as dust from construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, industrial sources, and wind-blown dust from open lands.
Roadside PM10 pollution has also shown a long-term decrease. Annual average concentrations at the roadside declined from 36.7 µg/m3 in 1997 to 17.2 µg/m3 in 2015, with an average yearly reduction of 1.1 µg/m3. Similar to urban background sites, roadside PM10 levels experienced a period of stagnation from 2015 to 2019 before dropping to 13.2 µg/m3 in 2020.
The improvements in PM10 pollution levels can be attributed to various factors, including the implementation of emissions reduction strategies, increased monitoring efforts, and policy interventions aimed at improving air quality. For instance, the EPA in the United States has established national and regional rules to reduce emissions of pollutants that form PM, assisting state and local governments in meeting air quality standards. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has provided global air quality guidelines to address particulate matter pollution, recognizing the impact of air pollution on various health conditions.
However, it is important to acknowledge that air pollution continues to pose significant health risks. According to the WHO, exposure to air pollution is estimated to cause millions of deaths and the loss of healthy years of life annually. Long-term exposure to PM10 has been linked to respiratory mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations such as older adults with chronic heart or lung disease, children, and asthmatics. Therefore, continued efforts to reduce PM10 pollution levels are crucial to safeguard public health and mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
PM10 refers to inhalable particles with diameters that are generally 10 micrometres and smaller. These particles are a mixture of solids and aerosols composed of small droplets of liquid, dry solid fragments, and solid cores with liquid coatings.
Sources of PM10 pollution include emissions from the combustion of gasoline, oil, diesel fuel, or wood, dust from construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, industrial sources, wind-blown dust from open lands, pollen, and fragments of bacteria.
Exposure to PM10 pollution can have adverse health effects, especially for vulnerable groups such as the young, elderly, and those with respiratory or heart problems. Research suggests a link between long-term exposure to PM10 and respiratory mortality. Short-term exposure to high levels of PM10 can also lead to lung inflammation and tissue damage. Additionally, you can use air quality alerts to protect yourself when PM10 pollution reaches harmful levels.
