The Particulars of PM 2.5 - CleanTechnica

The article "The Particulars of PM 2.5" from CleanTechnica explains the significance of particulate matter (PM) pollution, focusing on PM 2.5—particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter—and its impact on air quality and public health. It highlights a case study from New York City, where a congestion pricing program led to reduced traffic and a measurable decline in PM 2.5 levels, improving air quality notably in Manhattan’s central business district. Despite federal efforts to tighten air pollution standards in 2024, recent moves by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to relax these limits threaten to reverse progress, potentially increasing health risks such as premature deaths, heart disease, lung cancer, and brain damage. Particulate matter pollution consists of tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, including dust, soot, metals, and organic compounds. PM pollution is categorized by particle size, with PM 10 (particles under 10 microns