THE SOURCE TESTING ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GUIDE 2012
The Health Implications of PM-2.5
O
ver the past 50 years, air pollution regulations have continued to focus on improving the quality of the air that we breathe and in general have delivered great progress. Particulate or PM (Particulate Matter) has always been known as a source of poor health (for example, the particulate from burning domestic coal was the source of the renowned London smogs) but in recent years our understanding has significantly improved as the medical researchers have concluded that it is the small particles, invisible to the eye, which penetrate deep into the human lung and cause different but still signifi- cant respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.
It is likely that it is both the carbon and heavy metal content of these particles and the other pollutants carried on the surface of the particle which disrupt normal respiration. For this reason, air pollution
• Particulate matter enters respiratory (lung) system through the nose and throat
• The larger particulate matter (PM10) is eliminated through coughing, sneezing and swallowing
• PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs. It can travel all the way to the aveoli, causing lung and heart problems and delivering harmful chemicals to the blood system.
Small particles penetrate much deeper into the lungs compared to large particles
Traffic is the source of PM2.5 from engine emissions and tyre break wear
4 Source Testing Association Annual Guide 2012
Particle emission limits are regulated from industrial sources
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