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- What Is Particulate
Matter?
Particulate matter can be compared to a fine dust
or spray. For example, construction sites can often produce large
quantities of particulate matter such as dust from jackhammers,
front loaders and dump trucks, or residues from paint sprayers and
cement mixers, etc.
- Where Does
It Come From?
- -- Particles existing in
a solid or liquid state can be emitted into the atmosphere in a
number of ways: transportation sources, incinerators, construction
activity, or by industrial processes such as power plants, petroleum
refineries, steel mills, smelting, cement manufacturing, and asphalt
plants.
- -- Wind erosion plays a large
part in the distribution of particulate matter.
- How Can Particulate
Matter Affect Health and the Environment?
- -- Since these particles
are small and the wind can carry them a great distance, particulate
matter can decrease visibility and can coat and damage various materials
in the environment.
- -- Particulate matter primarily
affects breathing and respiratory systems. It can damage lung tissue,
cause bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, cancer, and even premature
death. The smaller the particles, the more hazardous they can be
to health (because they are more easily inhaled).
- -- Individuals especially
at risk are those with existing cardiovascular disease, chronic
lung disease, influenza, asthmatics, the elderly and children.
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