1. Introduction
Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air, many of which are hazardous.
This complex mixture contains for instance dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets
The particles originate from a variety of sources, such as power plants, industrial processes, and diesel trucks, and they are formed in the atmosphere by transformation of gaseous emissions.
Their chemical and physical compositions depending of location, time of year, and weather.
1. These particles come in many different size ranges such as coarse, fine and ultrafine.
They also vary in composition and origin.
2. Particles are either directly emitted into the air by sources such as combustion processes and windblown dust, or formed in the atmosphere by transformation of emitted gases such as SO2.
3. In Europe, sulphate and organic matter are the main components of particulate air pollution in terms of the mass of the particles.
Mineral dust, nitrate, and soot can also be major components under certain conditions.
Particulate Matter (PM) is one of the six criteria pollutants, and the most important in terms of adverse
effects on human health.
The marked increase in mortality that occurred during air pollution episodes