"Understanding the Future of Sustainable Energy"

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What can you do?

Particulate in the air includes a mixture of solids and liquid droplets suspended in air.  This pollution includes acids, organic chemical, metals, soil and dust particles and allergens.  Small particles less than 10 micrometer pose the greatest health risk, because they can get deep in lungs and some can even get within bloodstreams.  Particulate pollution is characterized into particulate matter <2.5 micrometer (PM-2.5) and particulate matter 2.5 to 10 micrometer (PM-10).  Particulate smaller then 2.5 micrometer are concerning as these particles tend to penetrate into gas-exchange regions of the lung.

Long-term exposures of particulate matter, such as those experienced by people living for many years in areas with high particle levels, have been associated with problems such as reduced lung function and the development of chronic bronchitis and even premature death.

Short-term exposures to particles (hours or days) can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and may also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. In people with heart disease, short-term exposures have been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias. Healthy children and adults have not been reported to suffer serious effects from short-term exposures, although they may experience temporary minor irritation when particle levels are elevated.

For more information on particle pollution and your health please visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=particle.cover

Header: Diesel particulate produced by a light-duty engine (http://www.transportation.anl.gov/images/content/particle_animation.gif)