Properties
Particulate matter is defined as particles that vary in type, size or chemical composition, depending on the sources of their emission. They are formed in all technological processes, due to soil erosion or wherever there is friction. The persistence and movement of dust in the air, as well as its transition to a suspended state, is greatly influenced by weather conditions, such as wind speed and direction, temperature or humidity.
Classification
- The way they behave in the air
- Falling dust – is characterized by very coarse particles with a diameter of more than 10μm;
- Suspended dust – fractions with a diameter of 2.5μm to 10μm, characterized by the ability to persist in the atmosphere and to be carried over long distances, not only within a single country.
- Chemical composition and grain size
- Coarse particles (PM10) – with a diameter greater than 2.5μm and less than or equal to 10μm;
- Fine particles (PM5) – with a diameter greater than 0.1μm and less than or equal to 2.5μm;
- Very fine particles (PM1) – with a diameter less than or equal to 0.1μm;
- Total Suspended Particles.
- Sources of their origin in the air
- Primary dust – emitted directly into the atmosphere
- Natural – related to the occurrence of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, etc..;
- Anthropogenic – related to human activity in manufacturing processes, fuel combustion processes, energy, mining, metallurgical, chemical, construction industries.
- Secondary dust – formed as a result of chemical reactions of compounds in the atmosphere.
Origin of pollution
|
Name |
Source |
|
|
Coarse dust PM10 PM2.5 |
Road transport (mobile sources) |
Engines |
|
Brake and clutch friction systems |
||
|
Wheel tires |
||
|
Other vehicle parts |
||
|
Roadway surface |
||
|
Dust stirred up |
||
|
Traffic pollution |
Products of incomplete combustion of solid fuels, biomass and biofuels |
|
|
Commercial power industry (steam and combined heat and power plants) |
||
|
Industrial power generation |
||
|
Industrial Technologies |
||
|
Coal coking plants |
Coke oven battery (furnace plant) |
|
|
Domestic-commercial sector (stationary sources) |
Local boiler houses (space heating), domestic furnaces, craft workshops, agriculture |
|
|
Other industrial sources |
Building materials industry |
|
|
Metallurgical industry (cutting, grinding) |
||
|
Fine dust PM1 |
Chemical processes |
Varnishing, surface polishing |
Impact on health
According to the study, it is not possible to clearly determine the health effects of particulate matter because of the variety of substances that go into its composition.
Fine particles (e.g. PM2.5) differ from coarse particles in that they settle more slowly, stay in a suspended state for longer, and are considered particularly dangerous to humans due to their deposition in the respiratory system. Smaller particles (PM1) have the ability to directly enter the alveoli, from where they are transported into the bloodstream.
For the deposition of particulate matter in the human respiratory system, fractions can be distinguished:
- Inhaled – absorbed through the nose and mouth;
- Tracheal – penetrating beyond the larynx;
- Respiratory – penetrating all the way to the alveoli.
We can divide the effects of exposure to particulate matter based on the length of human exposure to the pollutants:
- Long-term exposure – are associated with chronic effects such as bronchitis, deterioration of lung function and even mortality;
- Short-term exposure-especially to high concentrations-can lead to a violent and acute reaction in the body of the most sensitive segments of the population.
Standards
|
Name |
Standars of WHO |
Standards of UE |
Standards of PL |
|
PM1 |
No data available |
No data available |
No data available |
|
PM2.5 |
10 μg/m3 – annual average |
25µg/m3 – annual average |
25µg/m3 – annual average |
|
25 μg/m3 – 24h |
|||
|
PM10 |
20 μg/m3 – annual average |
40µg/m3 – annual average |
40µg/m3 – annual average |
|
50 μg/m3 – 24h |
50µg/m3 – 24h |
50µg/m3 – 24h |
