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) Web site

Additional Information

Air Quality Coordinator’s Annual Meeting

In August 2007, DEQ hosted its annual Air Quality Coordinator’s Meeting in Bend. Participants discussed PM monitoring information, EPA’s standards, and local actions to address PM pollution.

• Health Effects of PM PDF - Dr. Joel Depper, M.D.
• EPA PM standards, AQI, and Exceptional Events PDF - Gina Bonifacino, EPA Region 10
• PM Monitoring PDF 2mb - Anthony Barnack, DEQ
• Heat Smart Bill PDF - Rachel Sakata, DEQ
• Local Actions: Jackson County PDF - Daniel Hough, Jackson County Public Health
• Other Topics: Regional Haze, Columbia Gorge Project PDF - Rachel Sakata, DEQ

Pendleton Workshop

DEQ hosted a workshop in Pendleton in December 2006 to explain the new EPA air quality standards for fine particulate matter and their possible impact on many Eastern Oregon communities:

• EPA Rules
• Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution (Christine Kelly, EPA) PDF (1.1mb)
• EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (Larry Calkins, DEQ) PDF
• PM_2.5 Monitoring (Anthony Barnack, DEQ) PDF (1.6mb)
• Inversions and PM_2.5 Meteorology Overview (Joe Solomon, National Weather Service) PDF (1.1mb)
• Preparing a Forecast - Meteorology Training (Mike Gilroy, Puget Sound Clean Air Authority) PDF

[print version]