A recently published study analysed concentrations of 

fine particulate matter pollution across the

continental US from 1999 until 2015.
Industry, power plants and cars produce these extremely small particles of pollution. They are 30
times smaller than the width of a human hair, and they can be inhaled deep into the lungs, which can
lead to a variety of health problems.
The study found that this type of pollution declined since 1999, but the researchers say that even at
levels below the current standard, air pollution linked to an estimated 30,000 deaths. One of the
study’s lead authors said that lowering the standard below the current level would likely improve
people’s health.
Difficult words: fine (very small), pollution (not being clean, having something
dangerous), decline (go down).