Small Particles in the Air Can Cause Big Health Problems

We spend much of our time indoors, and want that indoor air to be as clean as possible. But that air is often filled with small particles a fraction of the diameter of a human hair. Because they are so small, they can lodge deep in our lungs, potentially causing long term illnesses.

In other words, particulate matter doesn’t have to be big to cause big health problems. These particles are categorized as PM10 (10 micrometers or smaller) and PM2.5 (2.5 micrometers or smaller).

Here are a few sources of particulate matter floating around indoors:

• smoking
• cooking
• open flames from appliances, burning candles, and other sources
• pollen and mold
• using kerosene heaters
• diffusing essential oils
• cleaning using common chemical products
• opening doors and windows to outdoor polluted environments
• using hairsprays, aerosol room fresheners or deodorants

Air that has a high particulate count can trigger asthma attacks, as well as lead to irritated eyes, nose and throat, shortness of breath, coughing, heart disease, and other health-related issues. Prolonged exposure can be especially dangerous to young children, seniors, and individuals with compromised immune systems or respiratory problems

Because of potential health problems caused by particulate matter, many governments are regulating what’s allowed in our air. The problem has been that these particles were previously only detectible with electron microscopes. Since most households and businesses don’t have electron microscopes available, new particle sensors are increasingly filling that role.

Laser-based sensors detect and count particles with light scattering. A laser light source illuminates a particle as it is pulled through a detection chamber. As particles pass through the laser beam, the light reflects off the particles and is recorded on a photo or light detector. The light is then analyzed and converted to an electrical signal for use by another system.