Inhalable Particles

Exposure to inhalable particles can affect your lungs, heart, and even brain. Many studies directly link the size of particles to their potential for causing health problems. Larger particles can be removed by our bodies through normal methods like coughing or sneezing. Higher health risks come from particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter, which are 40 times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. These small particles can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream.

People with heart or lung diseases such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), children and older adults may be at greater risk from exposure to particles in the air.

Indoor particles will include particles from outdoor air that get indoors and particles from indoor sources. Indoor particles can be generated through cooking, combustion activities like burning of candles, use of fireplaces, use of unvented space heaters or kerosene heaters, cigarette smoking, or vaping, and some hobbies. Some indoor particles can also be of biological origin.

Indoor particle levels depend on factors including outdoor levels, air infiltration to the home/building, types of ventilation and filtration systems used, indoor pollutant sources, and personal activities in the home. In homes without smoking or other strong particle sources, indoor particle levels would be expected to be the same as, or lower than, outdoor levels.