The Hidden Air Pollutants in Your Home

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the top five air quality problems in the U.S. are all indoor air problems. Common residential indoor pollutants include excessive moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, radon, pesticides, dust particles, viruses, and bacteria.

What is PM2.5 and Why You Should Care

PM2.5 readings are often included in air quality reports from environmental authorities and companies. Find out what they mean and why you should monitor their levels.

PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3% the diameter of a human hair.

Fine particles can come from various sources. They include power plants, motor vehicles, airplanes, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, volcanic eruptions and dust storms. Some are emitted directly into the air, while others are formed when gases and particles interact with one another in the atmosphere.

Why Are PM2.5 Dangerous
Since they are so small and light, fine particles tend to stay longer in the air than heavier particles. This increases the chances of humans and animals inhaling them into the bodies. Owing to their minute size, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers are able to bypass the nose and throat and penetrate deep into the lungs and some may even enter the circulatory system.

Innocent

Studies have found a close link between exposure to fine particles and premature death from heart and lung disease. Fine particles are also known to trigger or worsen chronic disease such as asthma, heart attack, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may lead to plaque deposits in arteries, causing vascular inflammation and a hardening of the arteries which can eventually lead to heart attack and stroke. Scientists in the study estimated that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) increase in fine particulate air pollution, there is an associated 4%, 6% and 8% increased risk of all-cause, cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality, respectively. Source

PM 1 The smaller the SIZE of the particulate, the greater the toxicity. Very small particulate (diameter less than 2.5 micrometer) is the most toxic for human being, because:
1) it can easily get the respiratory system in deep and go into the blood Add your answer
2) particles have adsorbed important toxic element as heavy metals and hydrocarbons, because they are usually produced by combustion processes; while the larger particulate is usually produced by natural or anthropic erosive processesA great publication to read would be http://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/824.pdf
Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)

PM 10 The growing awareness of PM10 is largely associated with the potential damaging effects they can have on the human body. The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes particles are affecting more people worldwide than any other pollutant. Primary health effects include damage to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Due to the small size of PM10 particles, they can penetrate the deepest parts of the lungs as well as access the gas exchange regions of the lung via diffusion.

"Formaldehyde (HCHO) is the most important carcinogen in outdoor air among the 187 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Colorless, poisonous, highly water-soluble gas with an obnoxious odor. Used in the manufacture of disinfectants, preservatives, and hundreds of industrial and consumer products such as adhesives, carpeting, decorative paneling, foam insulation, drapery, fiber and particle boards, and permanent press fabrics. Formaldehyde is a prominent factor in sick-building syndrome (SBS) as its emissions (accelerated by heat and moisture) irritate eyes and mucous membranes in nose and throat, and cause headache and dizziness. Officially named as methanal (not to be confused with methanol), it is classified as a possible carcinogen by EPA."

TVOC What are TVOCs? TVOCs stands for Total Volatile Organic Compounds, which are the total amount of any emitted gases with short or long-term health effects.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered to be emitted harmful, carcinogenic gases from solids and liquids. VOC concentrations are consistently higher indoors (up to 10 times, according to the U.S. EPA) than outdoors and are found in common household products and furnishings. TVOC (ppm) is the concentration of VOCs present in the air. The TVOC index uses TVOC (ppm) to communicate the level of VOCs in your surroundings.

In Some countries your local weather forecast say that tomorrow will be a "code orange" day for air pollution? That's the Air Quality Index at work. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is the system used to warn the public when air pollution is dangerous. The AQI tracks ozone (smog) and particle pollution (tiny particles from ash, power plants and factories, vehicle exhaust, soil dust, pollen, and other pollution), as well as four other widespread air pollutants. Newspapers, radio, television, and websites report AQI levels year-round. Keeping track of the current air quality information can help you take steps to protect yourself, children, and others from unhealthy levels of air pollution.

Air Quality Meter

8 in 1 PM1.0 PM2.5 PM10 Monitor TVOC HCHO Formaldehyd Detector Temperature Humidity Meter Air Quality Monitor Gas Analyzer Detect PM1 PM2.5 PM10 HCHO TVOC Humidity Temperature AQI Air quality index