Particulate Matter

What is particulate matter?  Well, basically, particulate matter is air pollution.  However, you may not be able to see particulate matter due to the fact that there are different particle sizes.  According to the site http://www.epa.gov/pm/ , this matter can be microscopic size particles, which would be particles in a haze or a smoke,  or coarse particles.  These coarse particles can be found near industries where pollution is visible, but they are considered coarse if they are larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter.  Obviously, pollution is not good for your health, so it is understood that particulate matter is not good for your health.  How exactly is it bad for your health?  Well, if particles are breathed in, they can enter the lungs which would effect your health negatively, and according to the site http://www.epa.gov/pm/basic.html , some particulate matter may even make its way into the bloodstream.  Also on this site is an example of just how big and or small particulate matter is.  Well, a human hair is approximately 70 micrometers in diameter.  So compare that to the largest particulate, with a diameter of 10 micrometers, that will give you some direction into just how small even the particulates that are considered large are, and also just how microscopic the smallest particulates are.  So, it is clear that particulate matter can cause some serious health effects.  According to the site http://www.sparetheair.org/Stay-Informed/Air-Quality-and-Your-Health/PM-Health-Effects.aspx , some of these include irritation to the lungs, chronic lung diseases, clotting of the blood, which may lead to a heart attack, and increase the likelihood of catching a virus or bacteria.  I hope this blog was helpful in providing a little more information to you about what particulate matter is and how it can be dangerous to your health.