Particulates are small pieces of solid material (for example, smoke particles from fire, bits of asbestos, dust particles and ash from industries) that dispersed into the atmosphere. These are not only the by-product of the infiltration of polluted outside air but also from various chemicals used or produced inside buildings.
Air (Oxygen) is the acute necessity of life because one can live without food & water for days but cannot survive without air. These particulates are the combination of organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.
Types of Particulates that environmentally Hazardous
| Types of Particulates | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aerosol | General term for particles suspended in air. Example- Sprays from pressurized cans |
| Mist | Aerosol consisting of liquid droplets. Example- Sulphuric acid mist |
| Dust | Aerosol consisting of solid particles that are blown into the air or are produced from larger particles by grinding them down. Example- Dust storm |
| Smoke | Aerosol consisting of solid particles or a mixture of solid and liquid particles produced by chemical reaction such as fires. Example- Cigarette smoke, smoke from burning garbage |
| Fume | Generally means the same as smoke but often applies specifically to aerosols produced by condensation of hot vapours of metals. Example- Zinc/lead fumes |
| Plume | Geometrical shape or form of the smoke coming out of a chimney. |
| Fog | Aerosol consisting of water droplets. |
| Smog | Term used to describe a mixture of smoke and fog. |
Affects of Particulates
1. Affect both lungs and heart
2. Environmant Damage such as particulates carried different chemical composition deteriorates the quality of the soil, lake, streams etc.
3. It can damage the historical & cultural monuments. For example- Taj Mahal is turning yellow.
4. Rise of air pollution decreases the life span of human.
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