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Some particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get deep into your lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream. Of these, particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, also known as fine particles or PM 2.5, pose the greatest risk to health.
Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) can penetrate through the lungs and further enter the body through the blood stream, affecting all major organs. Exposure to PM 2.5 can cause diseases both to our cardiovascular and respiratory system, provoking, for example stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
But PM 2.5, also known as fine particles, has the potential to penetrate deep into the lungs and contribute to health problems. PM 2.5 can enter indoor environments from outdoor sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and natural phenomena like wildfires.
PM 2.5 describes fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA sets and reviews national air quality standards for PM. Air quality monitors measure concentrations of PM throughout the country.
Particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. Fine particles (PM2.5) are the main cause of reduced visibility (haze).
Coarse particles (shown as blue dots in the illustration) fall between 2.5 microns and 10 microns in diameter and are called PM 10-2.5. Fine particles (shown as pink dots in the illustration) are 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller and are called PM 2.5.
Particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) represents the smallest particles of air pollution. Find out where PM 2.5 comes from, what level is unhealthy and how to filter it out.