Suspended Particulate Matter (PM 10 )

What is it? Suspended particulate matter consists of solids in the air in the form of dust, organic material dissolved by trees (pollens and fragments of plants), inorganic material produced by wind and rain, from soil erosion. In urban areas the particulate matter also originates as by-product of industrial activities, such as building sites, concrete making, foundries, asphalt and tyre usage, exhaust gases, particularly from diesel engines.
The danger to human health depends both on the particles concentration and on their size.

The finer of these particles, when breathed in can lodge in our lungs and cause respiratory problems.

•  Particles of diameter over 10µm lodge in the upper respiratory tract

•  Particles of diameter between 5 and 10µm reach the trachea and bronchi

•  Particles of diameter below 5µm can reach the lung alveoli

As particles proceed from nose or mouth toward the trachea and lungs, the diameter of the depositing particles decreases.

Levels of deposits in lungs according to particle diameter.

Damage caused- Medical studies have shown that there is a connection between the concentration of particulate matter and chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
Development- The concentration of Particulate matter seems to be steady or slightly worsening, depending on weather conditions. Specifically PM 10 (particles whose diameter is below 10µm) is one of the most difficult pollutants to deal with because recovery policies very difficult to carry out.

Range of allowed values, according to law (DM n. 60 del 02/02/2002)

 Range of values in urban centres