What is suspended particulates matter 2.5 and 10 in environment?

 

Particulates matter is also known as suspended particulate matter as they are micro solids or liquids that are suspended in the atmosphere.

Different particulates matter in the different form is usually present in atmosphere.

Particulates matter is naturally found in the atmosphere in the form of dust, soot, sand, smoke, pollen, and fly ash etc.

The size of common particulates matter varies from 0.0002 microns to 500 microns. Depending on their size, there are two types of particular matters are known.

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Particulates matter with diameter 2.5 micrometers and particulates matter with diameter from 2.5 micrometers to 10 micrometers.

The mass level of particulates matter in urban area varies from 0.06 mg/m3 to 2 mg/m3 which are higher than rural area.

According to the WHO, the safe levels for PM are 20 μg/m3 (annual mean) for PM10 and 10 g / m3 (annual mean) for PM2.5.

The number of particulates present in the polluted air may be as much as 10¹¹ / m³.

Examples of particulates matter

Particulates matter in environmental chemistry is solid or liquid aerosols that suspended in the air.

The various solid particulates matter are lampblack, metals, metal oxides, metal salt, fly ash, asbestos powder, dust, solid hydrocarbons etc.

The liquid particulates matter are liquid aerosols include sulfuric acid and nitric acid mists.

Sources of particulates matter

Lamp black

The most common particulates matter which entered the atmosphere due to human activity is lampblack.

It is produced by incomplete combustion of carbonaceousfossil fuels such as coal, fuel oil, natural gas, wood etc in presence of insufficient oxygen.

Besides, soot or lampblack particles contain toxic trace metals such as Be, Cr, Mn, Ni, V, Cd, and Fe and poisonous organic compounds such as benzo-alpha-pyrene.

Metal particles

Metal particles are released by various metal finishing operations. The micro particles of toxic metals and SO2 gas present in the polluted atmosphere get adsorbed on the particles rendering them highly toxic.

Metal oxides

The particulate Fe3O4 is formed during the combustion of pyrites containing coal.

A part of calcium carbonate in the ash fraction of coal gets converted to CaO, which is released into the atmosphere through stack.

Organic vanadium in residual fuel oil is converted to particulate vanadium oxide.

Lead halides

Tetraethyl lead, Pb (C2H5)4, which is used as an anti knocking compounds with gasoline, is the source of lead halides particles. Lead halides are generated by the combustion of leaded gasoline.

These lead halides emerge through the exhaust system and condense to form particulates after entering the atmosphere.

Fly ash

Fly ash is produced by the combustion of high-ash fossil fuels. This pollutant is released into the atmosphere from power plants, smelters and from mining.

Asbestos dust

Asbestos dust originates from industrial units manufacturing asbestos sheets, gaskets, ropes etc. Asbestos flooring and asbestos insulations also contribute asbestos dust in the atmosphere.

This pollutant is also released into the atmosphere during the mining and processing operations.

Dust particulates

Dust particulates are originated in the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions, blowing of dust by wind, from mining, by spraying of salts and other solid particles by the oceans.

Solid hydrocarbons

Chrysene, benzofluoroethane, benzo-alpha-pyrene, and so on are some organic solid hydrocarbons as well as particulate matter of carcinogenic nature.

These solid hydrocarbons are emitted from petroleum refineries and comprise of paraffin, olefins and aromatics.

These solid compounds are readily adsorbed on the surface of soot particles present in the atmosphere and thus become serious health hazards.

Aerosol mist

Aerosol mists are formed by the oxidation of atmospheric sulfur dioxide to   sulfuric acid and nitrogen dioxide to nitric acid.

Sources of particulates matter in percentage

The amount of particulates matter in the city air is much higher than in rural areas. The main source of particulate matter in urban areas is street dust. It causes about 38-40% increase in particulate matter in atmosphere.

Large amounts of particulate matter enter the atmosphere from motor vehicle fuel, amounting to about 20%.

The other two major sources of particulate matter are domestic and industrial plants, from which 12% and 13% of particulate matter enter the atmosphere, respectively.

The others sources of particulate matter are MSW burning, hotels and restaurants, concrete batching, construction anddemolition, diesel gensets, cremation, aircrafts and medical incinerations etc.

Toxic effects of particulate matter

Effect on human health

The size of the particulates matter determines where it will end up once inhaled. Usually large particles get stuck in the nose.

But the tiny particles can reach deep into the lungs and even into our bloodstream.

Fine particles like particulate matter 2.5 can reach the deep breathing sac of the lungs and even smaller ultrafine particles can enter our blood stream. These particles can also carry toxic chemicals associated with cancer.

When particulates matter enters our nostrils, it irritates the nose and throat and these symptoms are more severe in people with asthma.

Particulate matter causes various lung diseases like COPD, asthma, bronchitis etc.

It is also harmful to the condition of the heart. As a result, heart attacks, strokes, etc. cause heart disease and lung death.

It has been found that long-term exposure to particulates matter can contribute to the development of lung cancer and possibly asthma.

Effect on visibility

Particulates matter in the atmosphere reduces visibility by scattering and absorption of sunlight.

Particulates also reduce visibility by attenuating the light from objects and illuminating the air thereby reducing the contrast between the objects and their background.

Reduced visibility is not only undesirable aesthetically but is also dangerous practically for aircraft and motor vehicles.

Effects on materials

The adverse effect of particulates on materials include corrosion of metals, erosion and soiling of building, sculptures and painted surfaces and soiling of clothes and draperies. 

Particulates matter also damages the electronic equipment through chemical or mechanical action on electrical contacts.

• What is suspended particulates matter 2.5 and 10 in environment?
• What are the examples of particulate matter?
• What are the main sources of particulate matter?
• What are the toxic effects of particulate matter on environment?
• What is particulate matter 2.5?
• What is particulate matter 10?
• What is suspended particulate matter?

 

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