Air Quality: PM2.5
What is PM 2.5?
Particulate matter, or PM2.5, is very small particles in air that are 2.5 micrometers (about 1 ten-thousandth of an inch) or less in diameter. This is less than the thickness of a human hair. Particulate matter, one of six U.S. EPA criteria air pollutants, is a mixture that can include organic chemicals, dust, soot and metals. These particles can come from cars and trucks, factories, wood burning, and other activities.
Why is this indicator included in CalEnviroScreen?
- The smaller the particles, the deeper they can move into the lungs when we breathe.
- Fine particle pollution has been shown to cause many serious health effects, including heart and lung disease.
- Exposure to PM2.5 contributes to deaths across California.
- Children, the elderly, and people suffering from heart or lung disease, asthma, or chronic illness are most sensitive to the effects of PM2.5 exposure.
What measure is used in CalEnviroScreen 3.0 to evaluate PM 2.5?
- The California Air Resources Board measures PM2.5 concentrations from air monitoring stations around the state.
- Quarterly means were extracted from the air monitors for 2012-2014 and a mean was calclated by averaging across the three years.
- A spatial model was created with the air monitoring data to estimate ozone concentrations for each census tract within 50 km of an air monitoring station.
- For census tracts futher than 50 km of an air monitor, the ozone value of the nearest monitor was used.
- A complete description of the PM 2.5 indicator can be found in the CalEnviroScreen 3.0 report.
Where can I find more information about PM 2.5 and particulate matter?
- California Air Resources Board (ARB), Particulate Matter Program: Background
- ARB, Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Particle Pollution – PM10 and PM2.5