Chicago Sun-Times

Why pollution known as PM2.5 is so hazardous to your health

- BY MAGGIE SIVIT WBEZ Contributi­ng: Derek Kravitz, Dillon Bergin, Brett Chase

Each time we take a breath, the outside world finds its way into our body.

One type of thing in the air is called particulat­e matter.

Particulat­e matter — often abbreviate­d as PM — consists of very small particles suspended in the air we breathe.

These particles could be dust or smoke, tiny drops of water or even chemical compounds.

PM is described by its size.

When these particles are very small — about 1/30th the diameter of a human hair — they’re known as PM2.5.

Individual particles may be too small to see, but when levels are high, they can make the air look thick and hazy.

Particles with a diameter of 10 micrometer­s or less can enter deep inside a person’s lungs.

But the most health-damaging particles are even smaller. Those with a diameter of 2.5 micrometer­s or less are small enough to get into your bloodstrea­m.

The Chicago area has the third-highest level of PM2.5 from diesel in the country, after the Los Angeles and New York City areas.

PM2.5 in the air comes from lots of different places. Some are familiar, like smokestack­s.

Others, like trucks or chimneys, may seem less obvious.

High levels of PM2.5 can lead to health issues like asthma, heart attack or chronic obstructiv­e pulmonary disease (COPD).

And an estimated 5% of all premature deaths in Chicago can be attributed to PM2.5.

Not everyone is impacted the same. Pregnant people, young children, elderly folks and people who exercise outdoors are more likely to be affected when fine particulat­e matter levels are high.

So how do we begin to get a picture of what’s going on with our air?

One way is by using air sensors. These sensors detect PM2.5 levels in the air and can be placed on bus shelters and other structures.

These sensors already exist in many places across Chicago, and activists are pushing to add even more.

Informatio­n from sensors can begin to provide a picture of air quality on a neighborho­od level.

 ?? ILLUSTRATI­ON BY MAGGIE SIVIT/WBEZ ??
ILLUSTRATI­ON BY MAGGIE SIVIT/WBEZ

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States