Are PM1 Particles are More Dangerous than We Think?

AAF (American Air Filter) stresses on protection from PM1 (Particulate Matter 1) particles. Ultrafine PM1 dust particles can get deep into your lungs and even get into your bloodstream and can thus spread to the organs.

PM- Particulate Matter in the air is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets. PM particles are characterized as PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 particles. PM10 particles have 10-micrometer diameters in size and PM2.5 will be 2.5-micrometer diameter which is visible and noticeable.

But PM1 particles are microscopic solids or liquid droplets. These smallest airborne particles have the greatest potential health problems because they can get deep into your lungs and even get into your bloodstream and are thus spread to the organs.

Outdoor air pollution plays a significant role in indoor air exposures. Due to ventilation providing continuous air exchange in buildings, the indoor air exposure to fine PM originates mostly from outdoor air, especially in areas affected by heavy traffic.

The second most important source of exposure comes from the indoor combustion of solid fuels for cooking and heating (if present).

Pic 1: Bad ambient air quality sources

The outdoor air fine PM originates mostly from combustion sources, local and distant, where the levels exceed rural background. What is often not acknowledged is that in strongly polluted areas (e.g. heavy industry zones, city centers with heavy traffic) without air filtration, over 90% of ambient PM levels monitored outdoors, occurs indoors. Applying correctly selected, efficient air filters in ventilation systems can significantly reduce the impact of PM exposure on the Burden of Disease (BoD). PM1 Air filters protect the indoor environment by filtering PM1 pollutants with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 0.1 micrometers.

Pic 2. Pictorial representation of health effects of PM1 particles