What is Particulate Matter ??

Particulate matter (PM) is: A mixture of particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with an electron microscope.

Particles with diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers are referred to as “Coarse” Particles with diameter 2.5 micrometers and smaller are referred to as “Fine”

Sources of fine particles All types of combustion -Motor vehicle -Power plants -Wood burning, etc. -Some industrial processes

Sources of coarse particles include crushing or grinding operations and dust from paved or unpaved roads

Ambient Fine Particles Can stay in the atmosphere from days to weeks, and travel hundreds of miles. Particles can be transported long distances and impact large of numbers of people

Health effects of fine particulates Why are they bad? -Too small to be filtered by the nose/mouth -Can be inhaled deeply into the lungs where they can cross directly into blood stream like oxygen -Asthma attacks (possible asthma onset) -Heart attacks -Strokes -Premature death (crib death in children) -Cancer

The average American breathes 3,400 gallons of air each day, making ambient air pollution a major environmental problem.

Chemical Composition of PM2.5 Sulfates Nitrates Elemental carbon Organic carbon Trace elements such as metals Varying amounts of water.

Sulfates Sulfur dioxide (SO2), mainly from combustion of fossil fuel, is oxidized in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4) particles. Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 is the most common sulfate species in ambient aerosol samples.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx= NO + NO2) are formed during combustion or any high temperature process involving air Eventually can be converted in the atmosphere into both nitric acid (HNO3) particles and the particulate ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3).

Elemental Carbon. Chain agglomerates of very small elemental carbon (EC) particles are formed during combustion, such as in open hearth fireplaces, wood stoves and diesel engines.

Organic Carbon. Several categories of organic carbon (OC) compounds are also often found in ambient air, as follows: –Primary-anthropogenic (man-made). Incomplete combustion also leads to hundreds of organic compounds being present in the atmosphere as particles, including polycyclic (Polynuclear) aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). –Secondary-anthropogenic. Some complex organic compounds react with ozone or other atmospheric constituents to form particles.

–Primary biogenic. Viruses, some bacteria, and plant and/or animal cell fragments may compose a portion of the fine particulates in the atmosphere. –Secondary biogenic. Terpenes, which are cyclic olefins released by plants, also react in the atmosphere to yield organic particulate matter.

Trace Elements A variety of metals and non- metals are volatilized during the combustion of fossil fuels, smelting of ores, and incineration of wastes and are emitted as fine particles (or vapors which rapidly form fine particles).

PM2.5 Monitoring in Southwestern PA

The Air Quality Index (AQI) A method of grading the health risks that air quality poses on specific days Days are ranked as good, moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy, and very unhealthy Based on the forecasted level of PM2.5.

Monitoring the Air Quality Index, which forecasts the air quality for the day, is important if you belong to a particularly at-risk group such as: The elderly Children People with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions

Air Quality Action Day Clear Day in Pittsburgh

DID YOU KNOW? The Pittsburgh area was recently ranked the 3rd worst air quality in the County, for fine particulates – American Lung Association, 2010 State of the Air ReportThe Pittsburgh area was recently ranked the 3rd worst air quality in the County, for fine particulates – American Lung Association, 2010 State of the Air Report

Can I reduce my exposure to particulate matter? Avoid exposure where possible to sources of airborne particles such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke and vehicle exhaust.Avoid exposure where possible to sources of airborne particles such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke and vehicle exhaust. Avoid prolonged outdoor exertion near high-traffic areas especially if it is a higher pollution day.Avoid prolonged outdoor exertion near high-traffic areas especially if it is a higher pollution day. Stay informed about the daily air pollution levels and the associated health implications. You can sign up to receive an AQI forecast by each day here. informed about the daily air pollution levels and the associated health implications. You can sign up to receive an AQI forecast by each day here. Use high quality filters for heating and air conditioners. Change filters frequently. Consider using a room, car and/or house air cleaner. There are a variety of types so research your needs and follow proper maintenance recommendations. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are better for smaller particles.Use high quality filters for heating and air conditioners. Change filters frequently. Consider using a room, car and/or house air cleaner. There are a variety of types so research your needs and follow proper maintenance recommendations. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are better for smaller particles.