Our Chief Technical Advisor refers to Particulate Matter as the hidden menace. In this article, we’ll lay out what Particulate Matter is, why it can be so harmful to our health, and the steps you can take today to mitigate your exposure.
Particulate Matter (PM) are fine particles, measured in microns. One of the most hazardous of PM categories are particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, known as PM2.5. These tiny particles create air pollution that’s particularly harmful to our health: because we’re able to inhale this kind of air pollution, PM2.5 can penetrate our lungs and enter our bloodstream.
PM2.5 Sources in Your Home
Sources of PM2.5 in our homes include:
- Cooking: Frying, grilling, and sautéing can produce significant amounts of PM2.5, especially when using oil at high temperatures.
- Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains PM2.5 that can accumulate in the air and on surfaces.
- Cleaning: Dusting and vacuuming can stir up dust and other particles, adding to PM2.5 levels in our homes.
- Burning candles or incense: These products release PM2.5 when burned.
- Building materials and furniture: Some building materials, such as carpets, flooring, and certain types of insulation, can release PM2.5 over time.
- Outdoor pollution: PM2.5 can enter indoors from outdoor sources such as traffic or industrial activities.
Health Hazards from PM2.5
The World Health Organization has set guidelines for PM2.5 levels, and exposure to high levels of PM2.5 has been linked to serious health hazards, including:
- Respiratory problems: coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and potentially even asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can result from short-term or prolonged exposure to PM2.5.
- Cardiovascular diseases: PM2.5 has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension. PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream, which can cause inflammation and potentially disease onset.
- Cancer: PM2.5 can contain carcinogenic substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals, which can increase the risk of certain kinds of cancer, including lung cancer.
- Neurological disorders: PM2.5 has been shown to have an impact on the central nervous system and cognitive function.
4 Actions You Can Take
Amidst all this news about the menace you can’t see, there are some concrete steps that you can take today to mitigate the risks from PM2.5 to you and your family.
Four steps that you can take:
- Understand your risk: indoor air quality testing can help you to understand PM2.5 levels in your home. Our specialized sensors can detect PM2.5 levels in your home.
- Reset your indoor air environment: our commercial-grade equipment and plant-based products can safely disinfect both surfaces and the air, reducing your exposure to PM2.5.
- Use an air purification system: check out our previous articles and posts about using the right air purifiers sized appropriately for your home. Bottom line: use an air purifier that has a HEPA filter and avoid ionic- or UV-based purifiers.
- Ventilate: it’s important to turn on your exhaust fan when you’re cooking. Similarly, open the windows for some fresh air to promote air exchange and dissipate the indoor air pollution.
Don't let this hidden menace remain hidden. Follow the steps listed above to get on the path to breathing with confidence.