How to Define PM10 Particulate

Posted by admin on January 28, 2021

There is much confusion about how to define PM10 particulate, but if articles indicate the definitions they used, then the information can be compared with information from other studies. A concern is that the dust measurement equipment for PM10 particulate matter might not be designed to meet the same defined standard as used in the articles which could lead to some discrepancies.

Definitions of PM10 and respirable dust vary from

Particulate Matter with diameters less than 10 micron. Not one particle collected may be above 10 micron, regardless of shape and density.
Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 micron. This takes density and shape into account.
Particulate Matter with a d50 aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micron. This takes density, shape and statistical averaging into account.
Particulate Matter with a d50 aerodynamic diameter of less than 7 micron (Mining in South Africa). This is just a lower cut off used in the South African Mining Sector of South Africa when determining respirable dust levels on workers working on the mines.

Similar confusion exists for the PM2.5 particulate definitions and the equipment used to determine these low particle sizes need to be well maintained and operated by experienced people to prevent contamination of the samples by particulate larger than the defined size.

The fact that respirable suspended particulate matter is more dangerous to health than larger particulate up to 100 micron is well established. It is important to remember though that the ratio of RSPM to SPM will be specific to an area and the measurement of the one should be able to infer the other if the ratio has been experimentally determined, (excluding air pollution modelling).

“RSPMs are more dangerous to health because they are much smaller than Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), an umbrella term for all such substances with deleterious consequences, that are less than 100 micrometers in diameter.” See this link for the full article

At some stage the definition should be standardised so that apples can be compared to apples.

DustWatch particulate matter equipment measures SPM (suspended particulate matter), and is designed to have a cut-off at 100 micron, so that the maximum particle size collected is as close to 100 micron as possible. The d50 of the samples is between 35 and 45 micron depending on the sampling location. This is not an aerodynamic diameter as the size is determined using a Malvern particle size analysis. So the d50 is the size of particle without taking density and shape into account.

Chris Loans

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Information below sourced from – NSW Government – Health

Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)

“Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution or PM, is a term that describes extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. Particulate matter can be made up of a variety of components including nitrates, sulphates, organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen or mould spores). Particle pollution mainly comes from motor vehicles, wood burning heaters and industry. During bushfires or dust storms, particle pollution can reach extremely high concentrations

The size of particles affects their potential to cause health problems:

PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less): these particles are small enough to pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects.

PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less): these particles are so small they can get deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream. There is sufficient evidence that exposure to PM2.5 over long periods (years) can cause adverse health effects. Note that PM10 includes PM2.5.

Potential health effects from exposure to particulate matter:
There are many health effects from exposure to particulate matter. Numerous studies have showed associations between exposure to particles and increased hospital admissions as well as death from heart or lung diseases. Despite extensive epidemiological research, there is currently no evidence of a threshold below which exposure to particulate matter does not cause any health effects. Health effects can occur after both short and long-term exposure to particulate matter.”