Particulate Matter

Background

Particulate Matter (PM) is a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Sources of particulate pollution include woodstoves, fires, wind-blown dust, automobiles, and industry. PM₁₀ refers to particulate matter 10 microns in diameter and smaller, whereas PM_2.5 refers to particulate matter 2.5 microns in diameter and smaller. (The average strand of human hair is 70 microns in diameter.)

Health studies over the past decade show that there are harmful effects from breathing PM particles. PM can be inhaled deep into the lungs and can lodge there for weeks and months, aggravating asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory and heart conditions.

PM_2.5 NAAQS Standard

On December 18, 2006, EPA reduced the 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). By issuing this rule, EPA intends to further protect vulnerable individuals from air pollution in communities across the U.S. DEQ plans to work with Oregon communities interested in developing strategies to reduce particulate pollution.

• EPA Federal Register notice
• EPA particulate matter (PM) website

Additional Information

Air Quality Coordinator's Annual Meeting

2011 Presentations

• PM_2.5 monitoring – Matthew Reece
• Recent and Upcoming EPA and State Regulations – Rachel Sakata

2010 Presentations

• Reason for five year network plan - Anthony Barnack, DEQ
• Current Events - Gregg Lande, DEQ
• Oregon's Heat Smart Program and EPA's NSPS Woodstove Rules - Rachel Sakata, DEQ
• City of Pendleton Air Quality Programs - Karen King, City of Pendleton
• DEQ Air Quality Annual Report and Data Summaries

Information on PM Forecasting

• Inversions and PM_2.5 Meteorology Overview (Joe Solomon, National Weather Service)
• Preparing a Forecast - Meteorology Training (Mike Gilroy, Puget Sound Clean Air Authority)

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