ICAR-INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

NEW DELHI
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE

Write up:Term paper

Environment chemistry (ES-502)
Particulate matter in environment,its effects
and implications.

Submitted to :
Dr Manoj Srivastava

Submitted by:
Riya Bisht
22019
MSc I year
INTRODUCTION
The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small 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.
Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Numerous scientific studies have linked
particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including:
 Premature death in people with heart or lung diseases
 Nonfatal heart attacks
 Irregular heartbeat
 Aggravated asthma
 Decreased lung function
 Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.
 People with heart or lung diseases, children, and older adults are the
 most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure.
Microplastics, small pieces of plastic, less than 5 mm (0.2 inch) in length, that occur in the
environment as a consequence of plastic pollution. Microplastics are present in a variety of products,
from cosmetics to synthetic clothing to plastic bags and bottles. Many of these products readily enter
the environment in wastes.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large class of organic compounds containing two or
more fused aromatic rings. In particular, the term PAHs refers to compounds containing only carbon
and hydrogen atoms (i.e., unsubstituted parent PAHs and their alkyl-substituted derivatives), whereas
the more general term ‘polycyclic aromatic compounds’ also includes the functional derivatives (e.g.,
nitro-PAHs) and the heterocyclic analogs (e.g., aza-arenes).

Particulate matter is generic term to classify air pollutants comprising of suspended particles in air,
varying in composition and size, resulting from various anthropogenic activities. Industrial facilities,
Power plants, vehicles, incinerators, dust and fires are the major source of particulate matter. The
particle size ranges between 2.5 mm (PM2.5) and 10 mm (PM10). The part of respiratory system
affected by PM depends upon the size of particle. The upper respiratory tract is affected by PM10
while lung alveoli is affected by ultrafine particles (0.1 mm diameter).

Visibility impairment
One of the most basic forms of air pollution – haze – degrades visibility in many American cities and scenic
areas. Haze is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air, which reduce the clarity and
color of what we see, especially during humid conditions.
Environmental damage
Particles can be carried over long distances by wind and then settle on ground or water. Depending on their
chemical composition, the effects of this settling may include:
 Making lakes and streams acidic
 Changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river basins
 Depleting the nutrients in soil
 Damaging sensitive forests and farm crops
 Affecting the diversity of ecosystems
 Contributing to acid rain effects
Conclusion
This write-up delves into the the effects and possible implications of particulate matter in environment .
Measuring PM contaminants, volatile compounds, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollution
markers can clarify which risks specific spaces expose their occupants to on a daily basis.
 After getting equipped with advanced knowledge about a building’s pollution profile, occupants and
owners can take a number of easy steps to improve their breathing air:
 Opening windows, installing better filtration and having ventilation systems serviced can all reduce the
concentration of existing particle pollutants.
 Restricting the use of computers, printers and other office equipment to areas with improved
ventilation may help fight these devices’ tendency to emit harmful ultrafine particles.
 Remediating spaces that contain asbestos, degraded plywood and other friable building materials may
stop these substances from releasing matter into the air supply.
 Using appropriate ventilation in association with wood-burning heating sources can lessen their
adverse impacts.
 Making construction improvements to limit the amount of outdoor air that gets inside may reduce the
risks of living close to transit networks, urban areas and industrial facilities.
 Giving up smoking is an essential health benefit not only for PM pollution sufferers but also those
worried about VOCs and other carcinogens.
 Installing air purification systems also helps. High-efficiency particulate arresting, or HEPA, air filters are
designed to eliminate no less than 99.97 percent of particles in the 0.3 micrometer-diameter-and-
above range. Although HEPA filters don’t combat gases, such as nitrogen dioxide and VOCs, they may
be combined with activated carbon filters for comprehensive protection. Other large particle
elimination options, like ionizing air filters, may also be effective.
Particulate matter is a serious problem, with researchers linking it to heightened risks (3) of premature death
and 5 percent of all lung cancer fatalities (4). Although it’s not the only culprit in bad air, PM is worth reducing
References;
https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/pm-what-is.html
https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/pm-human-health.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4587002/
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/189051/Health-effects-of-particulate-matter-
final-Eng.pdf
 https://www.epa.gov/visibility
 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/suspended-
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