Particulate Air Pollution
It is no secret that the burning of fossil
fuels causes air pollution and adversely affects the health of the human
population. Over the last 10 years, research has been providing new insight
about the health consequences of particulate air pollution. Generated
by the use of fossil energy, respirable-sized particles pose a major
threat to our environment and health. Common particulates include pollen,
mold spores,
Did you know?
- The average home collects about 2 pounds
of dust per week.
- Visible particles constitute only about
10% of indoor air.
- Particle visibility depends on the eye
itself. In other words, light intensity and quality, background and
particle type.
- Particles on furniture and those in a shaft
of light are approximately 50 microns or larger.
- It may be possible to see particles as
small as 10 microns under favorable conditions.
- Particles of 1 micron or less adhere to
surfaces by molecular adhesion. Scrubbing is generally the only way
to remove them.
- Larger particles tend to settle out of
the atmosphere due to weight.
- Smaller, "respirable" particles
remain suspended in the air virtually indefinitely - until breathed
in.
- Approximately 98-99% of all particles by
count are in the size range of 5 microns or less. These particles tend
to remain in suspension or settle out so slowly that only quality electronic
air cleaners and HEPA air cleaners are effective in removing these
particles.
- The majority of harmful particles are less
than .3 microns in size. (That's smaller than a HEPA filter can remove
from the air).
- The average person breathes in about 16,000
quarts of air per day. Each quart contains some 70,000 visible and
invisible particles. That's over a billion particles per day that our
lungs have to filter out!
- A 9' x 12' carpet or rug will collect an
average of about 10 pounds of dust per year!
- 100% of all respiratory ailments and disease
are caused by inhaled particulate. That's right, 100%.
- Consider this: If your immune system has
to work so hard to protect your body from the air you breathe, how
can it protect you from anything else?
Common Airborne Particles and Their Sizes in Microns
Particles are commonly measured
in microns, a metric unit of measure. There are 25,400 microns in one
inch. This dot (.) is approximately 1/64 of an inch wide and equals 615
microns.
Common
Items and Their
Respective Particle Sizes |
| Postage
Stamp, 1 inch high |
25,400 microns |
| Eye
of a Needle |
1,230 microns |
| Beach
Sand |
100 to 2000
microns |
| Fertilizer |
10 to 1000
microns |
| Pollens |
10 to 1000
microns |
| Human
Hair |
40 to 300
microns |
| Mold
Spores |
10 to 30
microns |
Combustion-related
Carbon Monoxide
(motor vehicles, wood burning,
open burning, industrial processes) |
up to 2.5
microns |
| Coal
Dust |
1 to 100
microns |
| Anthrax |
1 to 5 microns |
| Yeast
Cells |
1 to 5 microns |
| Bacteria |
.5 to 20
microns |
| Radioactive
Fallout |
.1 to 10
microns |
| HIV |
.1 microns |
| Oil
Smoke |
.03 to 1
micron |
| Tobacco
Smoke |
.01 to 1
microns |
| Viruses |
.002 to .3
microns |
| Typical
Atmospheric Dust |
.001 to 30
microns |
| Pesticides &
Herbicides |
.001microns |
Return
to Air Quality Articles - Return
to Air Purification Home
FREE Monthly Newsletters
We publish four FREE monthly email newsletters: Click Here to Subscribe to One or More Newsletters
- Inspired Lifestyles News - Inspiring, motivating and empowering quotes, stories and articles
- Healthy Lifestyles News - Articles, resources and products for living a healthier, more vibrant life
- Inspired Biz News - Articles and resources for a more spiritual, whole-living work environment
- InspiredLiving.com News & Sale Announcements - Sales events, new products and specials