Health Effects of PM-10 Particulates
PM10 particulates are respirable and are the focus of most air pollution control regulations. When inhaled, these fine particulates can cause serious health problems.
Health Warning: PM10 is toxic even at very low concentrations. Besides causing chronic lung inflammation, these particles can leach heavy metals and cause damaging free radicals to be produced.
How PM10 Affects the Respiratory System
In the pulmonary airways, particulate matter is trapped by mucus and drawn upward and out of the lungs by ciliated cells. Once particles get beyond the ciliated airways (as is more likely with finer particles), they are likely to remain in that part of the lung, possibly causing inflammation.
PM10 Inhalation
Particles enter respiratory system
Lung Inflammation
Particles beyond ciliated airways cause inflammation
Increased Blood Viscosity
Body produces more pro-coagulants
Cardiovascular Risk
Higher risk of heart attacks and strokes
Cardiovascular Connection
There is a likely connection between PM10 inhalation and increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Lung inflammation has been linked to increased pro-coagulant production and increased blood viscosity, and this has been shown to occur during periods of high air pollution. Blood clots are usually the cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Why PM10 is Particularly Dangerous
PM10 is toxic even at very low concentrations. The reason for this is not necessarily that the material itself is toxic, but that PM10 generally contains a certain amount of ultrafine particles (< 0.1 micron) which are toxic due to their very high surface to mass ratio.
High Surface Area to Mass Ratio
- Ultrafine particles have exponentially more surface area
- Allows for more chemical reactions with lung tissue
- Increases potential for damage compared to larger particles
Heavy Metal Leaching
- Ultrafine particles can carry heavy metals deep into lungs
- These metals can then leach into lung tissue
- Results in systemic exposure to toxic metals
Free Radical Production
- Particle surfaces can catalyze free radical formation
- Free radicals cause oxidative stress and cellular damage
- Contributes to chronic inflammation and disease
BCE Health & Safety Solutions: Our dust collection and air filtration systems are specifically designed to capture PM10 and smaller particulate matter, incorporating HEPA filtration, advanced baghouse designs, and monitoring systems to ensure compliance with air quality regulations and protect worker health.