Particulate Matter – What is it and what are the health effects?

4.2 million

The number of deaths every year as a result of exposure to ambient (outdoor) air pollution

3.8 million

die every year as a result of household exposure to smoke from dirty cook stoves & fuels

91%

of the world’s population lives in places where air quality exceeds WHO guideline limits

What is Particulate Matter?

Particulate matter (PM), also known as particle pollution, is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets that get into the air. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects. EPA

What are the Health Effects of Particulate Matter, Fumes, and Pollution?

Carbon emissions, equipment, chemicals, cleaners, paints, and even employees all influence indoor pollution levels. The health effects are often exaggerated and more pronounced in at-risk groups such as those with pre-existing lung or heart disease, as well as elderly people and children.

Air Pollution and Acute Health Effects

Historically, air quality has shown a complex relation to respiratory issues, birth defects, chronic illness, cancer, and even loss of cognitive function. Research suggests air pollution affects everything from neurodevelopment in-utero to cognitive decline in older people. In 2014, the World Health Organization estimated that premature deaths caused by air pollution may exceed 7 million people annually.

Ozone Air Quality Standards

The EPA sets national standards for ambient environment quality by establishing limits for 6 major pollutants considered harmful to the public: ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and lead.

What Are Ultrafine Particulates?

Particles smaller than 100nm are referred to as ultra-fine particles (UFPs). Because these particles are so small, standard air filters and even HEPA filtration may not be sufficient in capturing and retaining all particles. UFPs become airborne more easily because of their small size. While large particles generally settle quickly, UFPs are able to transverse large areas of space. Greater buoyancy allows airborne suspension for long periods of time, sometimes up to 48 hours.

What are the Particulate Matter Health Effects?

"UFPs are particularly relevant from a health perspective because they deposit efficiently in both the pulmonary and alveolar regions of the lung (Hinds, 1999, Chalupa et al., 2004), as well as in head airways. Deposition in head airways can also lead to translocation to the brain via the olfactory nerve (Oberdörster et al., 2004). The high surface areas associated with UFPs also lead to high concentrations of other adsorbed or condensed compounds (Delfino et al., 2005, Sioutas et al., 2005). Several recent epidemiological studies have shown that elevated UFP number concentrations are associated with adverse health effects, including total and cardio-respiratory mortality (Stölzel et al., 2007), hospital admissions for stroke (Andersen et al., 2010), and asthma symptoms (Peters et al., 1997, Penttinen et al., 2001, Von Klot et al., 2002)." [Source]

Deposition potential for particles of varying sizes

CC: acrd.bc.ca

How VOCs Impact Health

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emit as gas from some solids and liquids. VOCs generally include many chemicals, some associated with long and short term health effects. Many household and industrial products produce vocs including organic solvents, paints, varnishes, disinfectants, cosmetics, and degreasers. Even seemingly benign items like moth repellents, air freshners, hobby supplies, and building materials include VOC production.

According to the EPA, health effects may include:

  • Eye, nose and throat irritation
  • Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
  • Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system
  • Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

Inhalable

Respirable

Most Common Particulate & VOC Sources

Dust, powder, sand, and smoke particulates which exceed 10 um are generally large enough to view with the naked eye. There are many human activities which contribute to particulate levels of many sizes as noted by the WHO:

  • Fuel combustion from motor vehicles (e.g. cars and heavy duty vehicles)
  • Heat and power generation (e.g. oil and coal power plants and boilers)
  • Industrial facilities (e.g. manufacturing factories, mines, and oil refineries)
  • Municipal and agricultural waste sites and waste incineration/burning
  • Residential cooking, heating, and lighting with polluting fuels

Particulate Size and Characterization (EPA)

Coarse Particle Size:
2.5 - 10 µm
"PM10" | 2,500 - 10,000 nm

PM10: inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller
  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Mold

Fine Particles:
<2.5 µm
 "PM 2.5" | 100 to 2,500 nm

PM2.5: fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.
  • Combustion particles
  • Organic compounds
  • Metals
  • SLCP

Ultrafine Particles:
<1.0 µm
"PM 1.0" | 1-100 nm

PM1.0: Ultrafine particles are also referred to as nanoparticles (nm).
  • 3D printer particles
  • Carbonaceous or metallic particles
  • Sintering or laser processes

Types of Filters

Advantages of HEPA Filtration

A high efficiency particulate air filter is a precisely designed entanglement of fibers which captures particles as small as 0.3 µm, but may be effective in capturing particles as small as 0.1 µm. The Brownian motion describes the random and erratic nature of the smallest particles. Particles often clump, cluster, and zigzag erratically which increases the probability to impact the filter fibers. HEPA filters extend protection from particles like dust, macro debris, allergens, and remnants from the filament manufacturing process.

Activated Charcoal Filters

Activated carbon filters, also known as activated charcoal are used for purification of gas, water, metal extraction, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and air respirators. Carbon activated charcoal filter capture gaseous chemical compounds such as Formaldehyde, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Sulfur and Nitrous Oxides. Carbon activated designs must consider the balance between air flow rates and the type, depth and surface area of the carbon to ensure suitability for the contaminants and appropriate dwell times.

Pre-Filters

Pre-filter placement before the HEPA filter retains the largest particles before they impact the HEPA filter. Inline, multi-stage filters improve the life span of more expensive HEPA filters by preventing the loss of air pressure under blockage known as “filter load“.

Compare Fume Extractor Prices and Features

Production Automation (PAC) specializes in solutions that solve manufacturing problems. We evaluate your production environment, product sensitivity, and provide expertise for achieving any standard of air quality or exposure limits.

Find Fume Extractors and Purifiers Online

Most will benefit from speaking with an applications specialist to ensure proper air velocity and particulate capture. We work directly with manufacturers and stand 100% behind all of our products, which means we’ll also support replacements and warranties in the rare case that a product arrives damaged or defective.

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Mitch Walleser

Mitch Walleser

Mitch is a contributing writer for Production Automation Corporation. PAC is a factory-direct distributor of products and environmental solutions for industrial and critical requirements within electronics, medical device, life science, pharmaceutical, and general manufacturing industries. Mitch has worked with manufacturing engineers, in-house specialists, and factory experts to highlight and uncover manufacturing solutions. His background includes 3D printing, electronics, and cleanroom manufacturing.

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