Find particulate matter pollution and other environmental intelligence+™ near your locations with AreaHub
Particle pollution, also called particulate matter (PM), consists of tiny particles of solids and liquids in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and drops of liquid. Some of these particles are big enough to see; smoke, for example, can often be seen in the air. Other particles are so small that they are microscopic.
Breathing particle pollution can be harmful to your health. Coarse particles, or PM10 (less than 10 microns), are not as dangerous because they cannot be inhaled as deeply into the lungs, but they can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. Fine (smaller) particles, called PM2.5 (less than 2.5 microns), are less than 30 times the thickness of a human hair and more dangerous because they can be inhaled deep into your lungs and even make their way into your bloodstream. Worldwide, ambient air pollution, which includes particle pollution, is the only environmental risk factor in the top 10 risks of premature death.
Particle pollution comes from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources produce particle pollution on their own and include forest fires, construction sites, dust from unpaved roads, cooking, and wood stoves. Secondary sources produce gases that can form particles and include exhaust from vehicles, power plants, and coal fires. Some common sources, like vehicle exhaust and power plants, can be both primary and secondary by directly producing particle pollution as well as gases that form additional particles.
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The American Lung Association, in their 2022 “State of the Air” Report, describes short-term spikes in particle pollution and year-round particle pollution trends. According to the report, the problem is worse in major urban areas with a lot of industry and in Western states. The number of hazardous particle pollution days (the highest “maroon” level in the Air Quality Index) reached 74 days – or 20% of days – in 26 counties across six western states in the three-year period covered by this report. During the same period, 116 “very unhealthy” or “purple” days were recorded in 47 counties across eight western states, home to about 34 million people. This was twice the number recorded in the two previous reports and more than 10 times the number reported in the 2018 “State of the Air” report.
Despite the increased number of hazardous and very unhealthy particle pollution days in the US, especially in the West, there is good news in other states. Year-round particle pollution is improving across most of the US. Wildfires are the main source of particle pollution in western states, and as a result, fifteen of the 25 worst cities for year-round particle pollution are in the West, including eight in California. Urban areas with high power plant emissions combined with local industrial sources, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York-Newark, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Chicago, also continue to experience high year-round levels.
Source: EPA “Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Trends”
Particle pollution, and especially fine particle pollution (PM2.5), is associated with an increased risk of lung irritation, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, asthma, cancer, and early death. In 2020, the City of Chicago, in their Air Quality and Health Report, estimated that 5% of premature deaths in Chicago each year can be attributed to exposure to fine particle pollution (PM2.5). In 2005, researchers from MIT estimated that there are 200,000 early deaths in the US that result from exposure to fine particle pollution.
In addition to outdoor sources of particle pollution, some methods of cooking can increase indoor particle pollution to very unhealthy levels. Researchers from the Well Living Lab and Carnegie Mellon University found that frying can increase particle pollution levels up to 90 times higher compared to the levels found in naturally ventilated houses. Another study from the University of Singapore found indoor particle pollution levels increased 170 times as a result of deep frying. Just like outdoor particle pollution, exposure to cooking emissions has negative health impacts on respiratory health, lung function, and cardiovascular health.
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Air pollution, including particle pollution, typically has a negative effect on property values. Researchers have found that property values are higher in areas with lower air pollution, and have even increased in counties in the US when air quality improved. During the 20-year period from 1970 through the 1980s, researchers from Brown University found that home prices in US counties with reduced air pollution increased between 3.9 and 4.8% more in value than homes in counties that did not significantly reduce air pollution. Another study in Oklahoma that focused on particle pollution specifically found that a 10% increase in particulate matter (PM) resulted in a 1.1% decrease in property value.
The EPA measures air pollution, including particle pollution, every day at over 1,000 locations and calculates an Air Quality Index (AQI). Use AreaHub to learn more about the AQI in an area or specific address, including annual averages and the number of days the AQI exceeded the healthy range.
Use the AQI forecasts to plan your activities. When the AQI level is unhealthy, take steps to reduce your exposure:
Stay indoors where particle pollution levels are usually lower.
Improve indoor air quality by using a stove hood when cooking, using a portable air cleaner, or upgrading the air filter in your furnace or HVAC system. See our suggested popular products.
When outdoors, choose activities that are less strenuous.
Avoid busy highways and roads where particle pollution is usually worse because of emissions from cars and trucks.
When particle levels are high outdoors, they can also be high indoors. Keep particles lower indoors:
Use HEPA air filters and air cleaners designed to reduce particles.
Reduce the use of wood stoves and fireplaces.
Eliminate tobacco smoke, and don’t burn candles.
There are also a number of ways to help reduce particle pollution in your area:
Drive less by carpooling, using public transportation, biking, or walking.
Choose Energy Star appliances.
Set thermostats lower in winter and higher in summer.
Don’t burn leaves, garbage, plastic, or rubber.
Keep vehicle engines tuned, so they run efficiently.
AreaHub’s Knowledge Center is updated regularly and provides information drawing upon scientific studies and sources.