Particulate Matter Air Born Pollution

The EPA defines Particulate matter (PM), or particulate pollution, as “a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets,” including acids, organic chemicals, metals, and soil among its components.

PM is measured in microns and is divided into 2 categories, PM10 and PM2.5, based on the diameter of the particles.

PM10 and PM2.5 are known as “inhalable coarse particles” and “fine particles,” respectively.

Green house gases one pound of methane has 30 times the heat retention as the same amount of C02

With the right adaptations our air scrubbing platform can be used to collect store and eliminate many different types of air pollutants i.e. PM Ozone methane etc.

Examples of Particulate Matter in Microns

Pollens                                 10 – 1000μm
Grain Dusts               5 – 1000μm
Mold               3 – 12μm
Combustion-related                < 2.5μm
Coal Dust                  1 – 100μm
Auto and Car Emission                       1 – 150μm
Coal Flue Gas                 0.08 – 0.2μm
Typical Atmospheric Dust                 0.001 to 30μm

The Costs of Air Pollution

The 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study ranked air pollution the 7th highest risk factor for preventable death in the world, contributing to an estimated 3.2 million deaths in 2010.

The EPA highlights particulate matter’s effects on human health compared to other air pollutants. These effects include heart disease, altered lung function, aggravated asthma, lung cancer, and premature death.

In 2012, the EPA issued new rules that tightened the federal soot standards by 20% (12 micrograms/m3 of air). The agency has committed to identifying non-attainment areas in 2014, allowing counties six years to comply with the new standards.