Sources of Particle Pollution
Fine particle pollution comes from sources such as:
- Motor vehicles
- Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces
- Dust from construction, landfills, and agriculture
- Wildfires and brush/waste burning
- Industrial sources
- Windblown dust from open lands
Health Effects
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. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems including:
- Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example;
- Decreased lung function
- Aggravated asthma
- Development of chronic bronchitis
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nonfatal heart attacks and
- Premature death in people with heart or lung diseases
People with heart or lung diseases, children and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure. However, even if you are healthy, you may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of particle pollution.
Prevention
You can do your part to improve the air quality by taking some simple steps such as:
- Car pooling whenever possible
- Burning clean/dry wood
- Watering down construction sites/landfills and agricultural lands
- Use alternatives to outdoor burning
- Not burning garbage or any material that releases dense smoke or strong fumes when burned
