Ultra-fine particles and their effects on the human and animal body are the subject of intense interest by the Scientific Community
Materials burnt at very high temperatures, 800 - 1,200 degrees centigrade or more are usually vaporized. But when cooled, the aerosols particles may represent, not the original material, but a previously unknown compound, with unpredictable consequences for our environment and our health. Materials that are usually regarded as chemically inert can become reactive and electrically charged when transformed in to small particles, and on occasion with a novel configuration.
Particles are classified by size. To date most consideration and regulation has been given to particles of size PM10, that is particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10µm. No particular chemical composition is implied. Air quality standards are currently targeted at PM10. It is now thought that particles of size PM2.5, with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5µm, may have more adverse effects. Emission-Watch records the mass of particles below PM10, below PM2.5 and also below PM1.
Humans and animals are capable of resisting particles of greater size than PM 10µm. But vaporized substances can re-condense into very small ultra-fine particles, with sizes below PM10, such as PM2.5 and PM1, and these can be absorbed into the human body through the lung wall. Particles which have settled on fruit and vegetables or been eaten by animals, will also be absorbed into our bodies through our food. Ultra-fine particles and their effects on the human and animal body are the subject of intense interest by the Scientific Community, revealing a whole new area for potential concern and research, both scientific and medical.
