{"id":19133,"date":"2024-02-19T14:38:32","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T13:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schiedel.com\/uk\/?p=19133"},"modified":"2024-02-19T17:15:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T16:15:02","slug":"what-releases-pm2-5-particluate-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schiedel.com\/uk\/what-releases-pm2-5-particluate-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"You’ll be surprised at what releases PM2.5 particulate matter"},"content":{"rendered":"
Air quality standards classify particles according to their size. Particles with a diameter of 10 microns or smaller (PM 10) have the potential to be inhaled into the lungs, posing potential health risks. Another category of concern is fine particulate matter, known as particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or smaller (PM2.5), which also poses a threat to respiratory health.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708353774256{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n You may have seen many articles about wood-burning stoves and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). However, what you probably haven\u2019t researched is that the main causes of PM2.5 lay elsewhere, either natural or industrial – <\/span>and some of them are very surprising.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n One of the main indoor pollution sources for PM2.5 is cooking especially when certain cooking methods are employed.\u00a0 Frying, grilling, and broiling can produce higher levels of particulate matter compared to methods like boiling or steaming. The combustion of cooking oil and fats, especially at high temperatures, can release particles into the air.<\/span><\/p>\n For example, gas stoves can produce combustion by-products, including fine particles. Electric stoves, while not completely emission-free, generally produce fewer particles compared to gas stoves. <\/span>Cooking at higher temperatures increases the PM2.5 levels (i.e. eggs in a frying pan, or oven cooking poultry over a prolonged period.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708354321284{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]In a research study, it was found that indoor PM2.5 concentrations in the house reached 200 micrograms per cubic meter for one hour during the cooking day. This exceeded the average of 143 micrograms per cubic meter observed in Delhi, the sixth most polluted city globally, and was significantly higher than the central London average of 15 micrograms per cubic meter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the US air quality index, a measure of city pollution, indoor air quality ranged from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” for almost two hours. These levels surpassed the World Health Organization’s guidelines of 10 micrograms per cubic meter for eight and a half hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The simple act of cooking bacon and eggs can drastically increase PM2.5 particles in the indoor air. And even the seemingly harmless activity of toasting bread increased PM2.5 levels to 30 micrograms per cubic meter.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0360132321008441<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2019\/feb\/17\/cooking-sunday-roast-causes-indoor-pollution-worse-than-delhi<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/pubs.rsc.org\/en\/content\/articlehtml\/2023\/ea\/d2ea00171c<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.vox.com\/energy-and-environment\/2020\/5\/7\/21247602\/gas-stove-cooking-indoor-air-pollution-health-risks<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708355276169{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n Air fresheners can contribute to the indoor concentration of particulate matter, including PM2.5. These products often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that can be released into the air when the air freshener is sprayed or otherwise dispensed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, some air fresheners may use propellants that can contribute to the formation of fine particles.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/34449928\/<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708355258290{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span><\/p>\n Cleaning products that come in spray or aerosol forms can release fine droplets into the air. This can contribute to particulate matter in the form of liquid particles, and if the liquid evaporates quickly, it can leave behind solid particles, potentially including PM2.5.<\/span><\/p>\n Some abrasive or powdered cleaners, when agitated or applied, can release fine particles into the air. These particles may contribute to indoor particulate pollution.<\/span><\/p>\n Certain cleaning products, especially those with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other chemicals, can release pollutants when they undergo chemical reactions, including combustion. This combustion process may contribute to the formation of particulate matter.<\/span><\/p>\n A study quoted:<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.elementaldigital.co.uk\/research-finds-that-ironing-washing-and-cleaning-in-homes-could-be-damaging-the-health-of-occupants<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/article\/20200909-why-indoor-air-pollution-is-an-overlooked-problem<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708355425461{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span><\/p>\n Candles and incense sticks are known to emit particulate matter, including PM2.5 when they burn. The combustion of wax or other materials in candles, as well as the burning of incense, produces small particles that can become suspended in the air.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These particles can have health implications, especially when present in high concentrations or when exposure is prolonged.<\/span><\/p>\n Ironically the burning of incense sticks and candles is used widely by wellness and meditation enthusiasts who tend to be more environmentally focused but are obviously not aware of the pollution implications.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/cleanup-atelier.de\/en\/blogs\/blog\/kerzen-feinstaub-gesundheit-zuhause<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0160412011001954<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708356285007{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span>The wear and tear of vehicle tyres can release ultrafine particles into the air, including particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 100 nanometers. These ultrafine particles are often referred to as UFPs. The release of UFPs from tyres occurs primarily due to the mechanical abrasion of the tyre tread as it makes contact with the road surface during driving.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/deframedia.blog.gov.uk\/2019\/07\/11\/air-pollution-from-tyres-and-brakes\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tyre breaking from brake pads is also a major cause of PM2.5<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/airqualitynews.com\/health\/air-pollution-from-brake-pads-as-bad-for-the-lungs-as-diesel-exhausts\/<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708356361628{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span>Volcanic activity can emit ash and other particulate matter into the atmosphere, including PM2.5-sized particles.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S004896972300267X<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708356518553{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span>Natural sources include wildfires. The combustion of vegetation during wildfires releases fine particles like PM2.5, which can be carried over long distances.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-021-21708-0<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708357186379{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span>Natural processes such as wind erosion, especially in arid regions, can lift PM2.5 particles from the earth’s surface into the air.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0045653523005179<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2307410823001062<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708357293995{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span>Mold spores, while not traditionally considered PM2.5 in the context of air quality monitoring, are indeed microscopic particles released by molds into the air. These mold spores can contribute to indoor particulate matter, and their size may vary, including particles within the PM2.5 range.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/aom.sg\/pm2-5-and-link-to-mold-proliferation\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708357458427{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span>Sea spray and waves breaking can generate sea salt aerosols, releasing small particles into the air. These are actually larger than the PM2.5 range, but atmospheric processes on these can lead to the formation of smaller particles.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/materials-science\/sea-spray<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708357629236{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span><\/p>\n Farming activities can contribute to the release of Particulate Matter (PM), including PM2.5. <\/span><\/p>\n The specific impact depends on various factors, including the type of farming, soil management practices, and weather conditions. <\/span><\/p>\n Here are some ways in which farming can contribute to PM2.5 release:<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/doi\/10.1073\/pnas.2013637118<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708357960975{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span>Scheidel\u2019s stoves are designed for wood burning only. This means no coal or other fuels can be used.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The combustion of coal is a significant source of particulate matter (PM), including PM2.5. When coal is burned, especially in power plants or industrial facilities, it releases a complex mixture of pollutants into the air, and fine particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller are part of this emission.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMore than 92% of the PM2.5 emissions were generated by the 250 largest PM2.5 emitters, of which 96.4% burned coal, 2.8% heavy fuel oil and 0.8% natural gas.\u201c<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.cec.org\/sites\/default\/napp\/en\/particulate-matter-emissions.php<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708358253537{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n <\/span><\/p>\n The burning of waste, including plastics and other materials, releases particulate matter into the air. Also, activities like construction and demolition can generate dust, contributing to PM2.5 levels.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0048969720362653<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nSome surprising culprits<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”19144″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708354719372{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
COOKING<\/span><\/h4>\n
AIR FRESHENERS<\/span><\/h4>\n
CLEANING PRODUCTS<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n
CANDLES AND INCENSE STICKS<\/span><\/h4>\n
VEHICLES TYRES<\/span><\/h4>\n
Natural causes of PM2.5<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”19152″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708356395460{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
Nature itself will release PM2.5. Natural processes can contribute to the release of Particulate Matter (PM), including PM2.5. Various natural sources release particles into the atmosphere, and these particles can fall into the PM2.5 category. Some of the natural sources of PM2.5 include the following:<\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708356937811{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
VOLCANIC ACTIVITY<\/span><\/h4>\n
WILDFIRES<\/span><\/h4>\n
WILND EROSION<\/span><\/h4>\n
MOLD AND DAMP<\/span><\/h4>\n
BREAKING WAVES<\/span><\/h4>\n
The main causes: Industrial and agricultural<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”19158″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708357649657{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
The main culprits for PM2.5 (Particulate Matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller) in the atmosphere are typically attributed to various human activities, particularly those involving combustion processes and industrial emissions. Here are some of the primary sources of PM2.5:<\/span><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1708357790895{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\n
FARMING ACTIVITIES<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n
INDUSTRY<\/span><\/h4>\n
WASTE AND DEMOLITION<\/span><\/h4>\n