Airborne particulate matter is a mixture of small solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, which can be caused by natural and human activities. It can be released naturally, e.g. by forest fires, dust storms, volcanic eruptions, but it is also a constituent of airborne pollen from plants. Sources from human activity include: transport, industry and energy supply, heating, use of solid fuels (wood, coal), agricultural activity.

PM10 is particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres that can enter the upper respiratory tract (nose, pharynx, trachea). PM2.5 is fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres that can penetrate deeper into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.Particulate pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 are particularly harmful to health in the short and long term, e.g. they cause respiratory irritation, eye and throat irritation, and in the longer term they cause cardiovascular disease, may contribute to high blood pressure and other chronic lung diseases (e.g. COPD).

Reducing airborne particulate matter is something we can do at individual and community level:

• • By giving priority to public transport, cycling and walking.
• • Using electric or low emission vehicles.
• • Using efficient heating technologies (e.g. gas heating or heat pumps instead of solid fuels, more efficient stoves, boilers.
• • For industrial emitters, use of modern, state-of-the-art technologies (e.g.: filter systems).
• • Increasing green areas by planting trees and plants.
• • Monitor air pollution forecasts, especially for vulnerable groups (children, elderly, chronically ill).
• • Carrying out fewer point source/diffuse source activities (e.g. not burning waste, minimising use of chemicals).