PM2.5 is a particulate air pollutant that poses a major health concern to humans. They are tiny pollutants measuring 2.5 microns and below. PM2.5 can enter deep into the lungs and the blood stream. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can cause health effects like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Learn more about PM2.5, the best way to protect yourself from PM2.5 and other trends here.
PM2.5 and PM10 are the two types of air pollution that the WHO estimates affect “more people than any other pollutant,” but they are different. Here’s how the two contrast. PM2.5 Meaning PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5): “PM” refers to particulate matter—particles in the air. PM2.5 are tiny airborne particles with a …
Working on DIY air purifiers for over 6 years, I’ve heard from a lot of people who have strong intuitions about cleaning car air filter. People tell me they wash their vehicle’s air filter, vacuum it, or bang it really hard. Opinions are plenty, but what about real, hard data? …
With wildfires becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change and human activity, concerns are growing about the health risks of breathing in wildfire smoke. But how does this exposure compare to the well-known dangers of smoking cigarettes? While both types of smoke are harmful, they differ significantly in …
It is no surprise that wildfires affect air quality. The wildfires in California and Australia have had a substantial impact on air quality levels over time. Pictures like the one above show the large amounts of smoke and pollution produced by these forest fires in California. But how exactly does …
As wildfires become increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change and other factors, the impact of wildfire smoke on human health is growing more concerning. Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases, water vapor, and fine particles released when vegetation and other materials burn. These components can pose …
Wildfire season is here again, and where there’s fire, there’s smoke. The United States faces over 50,000 wildfires each year, and in the last five years alone, more than 32 million acres have burned. This widespread burning significantly impacts air quality, particularly in the Western US. Wildfire Smoke Accounts for …
Current air regulations regard all PM2.5 air pollution as equally hazardous. However, recent studies indicate that particulate matter from wildfire smoke is considerably more toxic than that found in typical outdoor air pollution. This suggests that wildfire smoke could be much more harmful than what current air quality indexes reflect. …
Air pollution is a problem that affects us all. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 9 out of 10 people in the world breathe polluted air, which contributes to 7 million premature deaths each year. Achim Haug, founder of AirGradient, decided to do something about it. Inspired by the …
Knitting the Air is a community project that visualises air quality data through the power of knitting in Poplar, East London. Over 120 knitters have contributed to the ambitious goal of knitting data from two Breathe London air quality sensors. Starting in March 2023, their aim is to knit data for the entire year to help raise awareness about air pollution. Caroline Murray, Project Manager at Poplar HARCA explains how it all started and the conversations it is sparking,
The effects of air pollution on our health are well documented. However, the effect air pollution has on sleep and making sleep apnea worse is not talked about enough. So what exactly is air pollution’s effect on sleep apnea? Can an air purifier be used as a CPAP alternative? Air …
