2. Introduction To Particulate Matter
What is Particulate Matter (PM)?
• Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles
suspended in air many of which are hazardous. This complex
mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust,
pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. These particles vary
greatly in size, composition, and origin.
Particles in air are either:
• directly emitted, for instance when fuel is burnt and when dust is
carried by wind, or Indirectly formed, when gaseous pollutants
previously emitted to air turn into particulate matter.
3. 2. Facts About Particulate Matter (PM)?
• PM is one of the six EPA (Environmental
polluted air) “criteria pollutants”.
• PM has no fixed composition:
• 1) PM may consist of either only one
chemical. E.g. sulphate, sulphuric acid,
lead oxide, carbon oxide.
• 2) PM may consist of numbers of pollutants.
E.g. organic chemicals, metals, organics
compounds dust.
• US reported first time in 1969 that “it’s a
mixture of mixture”.
• PM is among the most harmful air pollutants
4. Why does particle size matter?
• The aerodynamic properties of particles
determine how they are transported in air and
how they can be removed from it. These
properties also govern how far they get into the
air passages of the respiratory system.
Additionally, they provide information on the
chemical composition and the sources of
particles.
• On the basis of the particulate matter can be
classified as:
• Coarse Particles (PM10 - PM2.5).
• Fine Particle (PM2.5).
• Ultra-Fine Particle (0.1 µm).
5. Particulates Matter in Atmosphere
• 1) Coarse Particles (PM10 - PM2.5).
They are formed by the mechanical break up of larger
1. They can be produced from roads dust, agricultural
process, uncovered soil, or mining operations, as
well as non-combustible material when burning of
fossil fuel occurs.
2. Pollen grain, mould spores, and plants insect’s
parts can also contribute to coarse particle.
3. Finally, evaporation of sea-spray can produced
large particle near coast.
4. Undergoes rapid sedimentation
5. Bypass the body defenses in the nose and throat &
enter into the lungs
6. 2) Fine Particle (PM2.5).
• They are largely formed by the nucleation
of gases in which is the initial stage in
which the gas becomes a particle. When
additional gas condensates on the
particles, or through coagulation, when two
or more particles combine to form a larger
particle. Particles produced by the
intermediate reactions of gases in the
atmosphere are also called secondary
particles.
7. 1. Combustion of fossil fuels such as
coal, oil, and petrol can produce fine
particles from the condensation of
materials vaporized during combustion.
2. They are emitted from power plants,
industries, & automobiles.
3. They remain suspended in the air, and
can extremely travel up to long
distance with air.
4. They penetrate into lungs and damage
the lungs tissue.
8. 3) Ultra-Fine Particle (0.1 µm).
• They are formed by the atmospheric reactions of
sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides initially released
as gases.
1. The very sensitive & toxic particles among all in
the atmosphere.
2. They consist of primarily of inorganic ions, mostly
hydrocarbon, and some metals.
3. They remain suspended in the air, and can
extremely travel up to long distance with air.
4. They passed from lungs tissue and enter to the
blood stream.
5. They circulate like oxygen molecule in the,
circulatory system.
9. Which materials are the main components of
particulate matter?
1. On average, the two main components of
particulate matter in Europe are sulphate and
organic matter. This is true both for fine
particles (PM2.5) and for coarse and fine
particles Combined (PM10).
2. However, near roads mineral dust is also a
main component of PM10.
3. Soot, also referred to as black carbon, and
makes up 5 to10% of fine particles and
somewhat less of coarse particles; near
certain roads the proportion of soot can reach
15 to 20%.
10. Main Sources of Particulate Matter?
• Natural Sources: They originate from natural
sources such as:
volcanos, dust storms, forest, grassland fires,
living vegetation and sea
spray.
• Anthropogenic Sources: They originates from
human activities such as:
The burning of fossil fuel, incinerating wastes,
metal- smelting,
large power generation, wood burning,
construction/demolition, vehicles emissions,
dirty roads dust.
11. Types of Particulate Matter?
• Primary Particulate: Primary particulate
matters are those which are directly emitted
from the source concerned to particulate
matter, such as: pollution from industries,
automobiles, wood & coal burning, dry cleaner,
volcanos gas-stations, etc.
• Secondary Particulate: Secondary particulate
are formed in the atmosphere as a result of
the interaction of chemicals in the environment
such as: SO2, NOX, and VOCS, with other
compounds in the air.
12. Precursor of Particulate Matter?
• Mobile Source: vehicles, NOX, and
VOCS make the PM.
• Stationary Sources: power plants,
factories, SO2, NO2.
• Area Sources: dry-cleaner, gas-
stations, VOCS.
• Natural Sources: grass-land & forest
fires, volcanoes eruption.
13. Environmental impact of Particulate Matter
• IMAIRMENT OF VISIBILTY
• DEMAGE TO ENVIRONMENT
• ASTHETIC EFFECT:
14. Adverse Health Effect of Particulate Matter?
• Irritate the eyes, nose & throat.
• Inflammation of lungs tissue.
• Decreased the lungs functions.
• Caused chronic lungs diseases.
• Severity of “asthma” attack on
children.
• Pre-term birth & low birth weight.
• Pre-mature death in people with heart
& lungs diseases.
16. Control of Particulate Matter (from industrial
sources)?
• FABRIC FILTER (Bag House):
• CYCLONE:
• ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATION
• WET SCRUBBER: impaction and
interception of particles by scrubbing of
liquid such as water
• GRAVITATIONAL SETLING CHAMBER:
A low velocity is used for particles to allow
large particles settle down by force of
gravity and collect as solid particles
