What is particulates?
particulates consists of both solid and liquid suspended matter and is abbreviated as PM (English: particulate matter). The size of the particles varies: from ultrafine particles with a very small size of only 1 µm up to 10 µm. The size can be recognized by the number after the PM, i.e. PM₁₀, PM₂,₅ or PM₁. Since even the "large" particulate matter particles are very small, they reach deep into the bronchial tubes via breathing and can have a lasting effect on the body. The problem: allergens often attach themselves to the particles, which can trigger or intensify allergies.
What are the health effects of too much particulate matter?
particulate matter particles irritate the respiratory system and can cause inflammatory changes. If the smaller particles even enter the bloodstream, they affect the cardiovascular system and can increase the risk of heart attack. Other possible symptoms are irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat.
air-Q test: Does particulates also get through closed windows?
particulates gets indoors through open windows or through shoes and clothing. Does it help to keep the windows closed to keep out the particulates ? We checked it and measured it with the air-Q air meter on New Year's Eve. After all, when rockets and the like are fired, enormous amounts of particulates are released: ideal conditions for a check.
We conducted the practical test on New Year's Eve and in two different Leipzig districts: firstly, in our office in Plagwitz, this district is located away from the city center, and secondly, in our colleague's apartment in the center of Leipzig. In the center, the annual big fireworks display was taking place. In both premises, the windows and doors were closed during the test measurement with the air analyzer and no persons were present.
The air-Q test measurement in our office from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. already shows isolated increases in particulate matter values before midnight. If the initial values started at 0 PM, the air measuring device was able to detect both larger particles (PM₁₀) and smaller particulate matter particles (PM₂,₅) within the first two hours. During this period, the air-Q shows harmless values of maximum 0.5 μg/m³. After a short period of 10 to 15 minutes each, the values always recover. However, with the onset of the fireworks around 24 o'clock, the PM concentration increases constantly. Despite some short recovery periods, the indoor air quality cannot regenerate when the windows are closed. With maximum values of 3.2 μg/m³ for the larger particles and 2.8 μg/m³ for PM₂,₅, this is an enormous increase in the pollutant load in the room.
The test measurement in the private apartment in the center took place between 7 pm and 3 am. Here, the initial values for particulates were already slightly elevated at the beginning of the test recording. In contrast to the office measurement, the air values in the apartment could not recover in the meantime, but increased constantly. Thus, PM levels already reached 10 μg/m³ before zero o'clock. With the onset of fireworks, the concentration increases by leaps and bounds, peaking at about 33 μg/m³ around 1:30 am. For information: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the annual limit value is 25 μg/m³ for PM₂,₅.
In addition to particulates , noise pollution was also measured. This fluctuates between 40 and 47 decibels between 7 p.m. and midnight. The maximum value of 64 dB is reached around midnight and then levels off again slightly. During the entire test period, the air-Q determined an average noise exposure of 42.88 dB. The limit values for indoor areas are 35 dB during the day and 25 dB at night.
Conclusion
Our test measurement shows that particulate matter particles enter the apartment despite closed windows and strongly influence the air quality here. A check of the air components is therefore recommended.
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