Week 8: Particulate Matter

Presence in the air of one or more contaminants in such quantities and durations that may be injurious to human, animal, or plant life or property, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property Solid, liquid, or gas Natural or anthropogenic sources

Vehicles

Power plants, factories

Drycleaners, gas stations

Forest fires, volcanoes

Weather patterns Wind Stability (vertical movement of air) Turbulence Precipitation Topography Smokestack height and temperature of gases

Extremely stable layer of the atmosphere that forms over areas Temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground Hot air sitting above cooler air, and particles are unable to rise into atmosphere where winds will disperse them

Wide variety of airborne material materials that are directly emitted into air or result from transformation of gaseous pollutants Natural and human sources Important to behaviour in atmosphere and body

Standard measure 4 main size categories: ultrafine, fine, course, supercourse

Premature death Lung cancer Exacerbation of COPD Development of chronic lung disease Heart attacks Hospital admissions and ER visits for heart and lung disease Respiratory symptoms and medication use in people with chronic lung disease/asthma Decreased lung function Pre-term birth

1) Irritation which increase permeability of tissue 2) Susceptibility to viral and bacterial pathogens 3) Aggravates severity of chronic lung diseases 4) Inflammation which causes release in chemicals 5) Changes in blood chemistry which can cause blood clots

Major statutory instrument Co-responsibility of Ministers of Health and Environment Provides for the assessment of environmental health risks Development of regulations and environmental targets