What are different types of particulates matter in environment?

 

Particulates matters are also known as atmospheric aerosol particles, atmospheric particulate matter, or suspended particulate matter (SPM).

These are microscopic particles of solid or liquid suspended in the air. The source of the particulate matter can be natural or ethnographic.

 There are two types of particulates matter depending on their sources, namely, primary particulates matter and secondary particulates matter.

 

Primary particulates matter

There are some particulates, which are directly entered into the atmosphere owing to the volcanic eruptions, erosions, grinding etc, are called primary particulates matter.

For examples, dust particulates, asbestos powder, flower pollen, fly ash, aerosol mist etc.

 

Secondary particulates matter

Particulates, which arises into the atmosphere due to the chemical or photochemical reactions, combustion etc, are known as secondary particulates matter.

For examples, metal particles, metal oxides, soot, solid hydrocarbons, organic acids, aldehyde, ketone, peroxide, epoxide, ester, quinine, lactones etc.

 

Types of particulates matter depending on their size

 

The common size of particulates matter varies from 0.0002 microns to 500 microns.

Depending on their size, there are few types of particular matters are known.

Types of atmospheric particles include suspended particulate matter, thoracic and respirable particles, inhalable coarse particles, PM 10, fine particles, PM 2.5, ultrafine particles; and soot.

Out of them PM2.5, PM10 and ultrafine particulates matter are more significant.

Particulate matter 2.5 (or PM 2.5)

 

Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers are called PM 2.5. Human hair is about 100 micrometers, so about 40 fineparticles can be placed in its width.

PM2.5 particles are so fine that they can easily enter the human body through the nostrils. As a result, people are severely affected by this.

 

According to the WHO, the safelevels for PM are 20 μg/m3 (annual mean) for PM10 and 10 g / m3 (annual mean) for PM 2.5.

 

Particulate matter 10 (or PM 10)

 

Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers to 10 micrometers are called PM 10. The diameter of all these type of particles matter is about one tenth of the diameter of human hair.

 

Particulate matter 10 or PM 10 has a diameter of 2.5 micrometers to 10 micrometers, but due to their small size, they can penetrate deeper parts of the lungs, such as the bronchioles or alveoli.

This can lead to asthma or even more damage to asthma patients.

 

Ultrafine particles

 

Particles that are less than 0.1 micrometers in diameter are called ultrafine   particles. Ultrafine particles can easily enter the blood stream through the nostrils. As a result, people are severely affected by this.

The particulate matter can be further divided into two parts depending on their capability of working successfully.

 

Viable Particulate Matter

These particles include lower living organisms such as algae, bacteria, molds, fungi, etc.

They are dispersed into the air. Human beings are allergic to these microorganisms and they can also cause different types of diseases in plants and animals.

 

Non-Viable Particulate Matter

We can classify these particles on the basis of size and their nature. These particulates include smoke, dust, mists, and fumes.

 

Inorganic and Organic particulates matter

Depending on the source, matter can be further divided into two parts. These two types of particulates matters are organic and inorganic.

 

Inorganic particulates matter

 

There are a large number of inorganic particulates matters are known to us.

It has been found that particulate pollutants contain about 22 metallic elements. The most abundant elements are Na, Ca, Si, Al and Fe.

Metals such as Zn, Pb, Cu, Mg, and Mn are also present in sufficient amounts in the air.

Besides, dust particulates, asbestos powder, fly ash, aerosol mist, nitrogen and sulphur compounds, radio nuclides, metallic oxides (Fe3O4, CaO, vanadium oxide etc), carbonates, lead halides, C2H4Br2 and C2H4Cl2 etc particles are also found in the air as particulates matter.

 

Organic particulates matter

 

There are many organic particles, including aliphatic and aromatic particulates matter.

These are poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, organic alkalis, phenols, cresols, organic acids, carcinogenic compounds etc.

Besides, aldehyde, ketone, peroxide, epoxide, ester, quinine, lactones and a variety of complex compounds occur in the atmosphere as particulate matter.

 

• What are different types of particulates matter in environment?
• What is particulates matter 2.5 in environment?
• What is particulates matter 10 in environment?
• What is primary and secondary particulates matter?
• What is viable and non-viable particulates matter?
• What is organic and inorganic particulates matter?

 

types of particulates matter, PM 2.5, PM 10, primary and secondary particulates matter, viable and non-viable particulates matter, organic and inorganic particulates matter,

 

 

Read more: Causes of air pollution in Delhi