What is PM2.5?

PM 2.5 is one of the most dangerous pollutants to human health. It is so small, 1/300th the size of a human hair. PM 2.5 comes from many sources - industrial, vehicular exhaust, trash burning, factories and brick kilns, crop burning, and construction sites, among others.

These invisible particles of tiny pollutants don’t settle; they are suspended in the air and can travel hundreds of miles. PM 2.5 goes deep into our bodies entering the blood stream and lungs. 

What Are the Health Risks?

​PM 2.5 exposure has long and short term health impact affecting the body in nearly every area: 

• Respiratory system
• Cardiovascular system
• Nervous system
• Reproductive system
• Urinary system

​The effect on our health goes well beyond the winter cough, asthma, headaches, eye irritation and shortness of breath we see in the short term.

PM 2.5 puts our entire bodies at risk of major health issues: Heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, cancer, infertility, birth defects and the list goes on.

​In the short term, exposure to PM 2.5 even affects our cognitive and motor functioning. Studies have proven children’s test scores decline when exposed to high levels of PM 2.5!

Picture Credit: The Climate Partners