SPM Full Form

SPM stands for Suspended Particulate Matter which is a result of air pollution. The smallest particulate matter, smaller than 2.5 microns, is referred to as PM 2.5 and the size of PM 10 is 10 microns.

Definition:

Particulate Matter, also known as PM, is a measure of the mass of any substance in suspension in a gas or liquid. The specified partitioning of particles into sizes is done using ACME4 software. SPMs are used for tracking air quality and for regulating air pollution. Importance of Suspended Particulate Matter: Importance of SPM to us: Both human health and the environment are heavily dependent on PM’s effect on various aspects of our lives. It is well established that the smallest particle size has the strongest effects on health. Improved knowledge of this phenomenon will only take us further in creating cleaner environments and more productive lives for our society.

Sources of SPM:

Some Sources of SPM are:

• Smoke from vehicle exhausts results from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning
• Dust formed as a result of crushing rocks and soil by vehicles
• Soil dust originates with wind erosion of soil aggregates. Organic dust results from the burning of coal and biomass
• Seaspray aerosols form the sea, while gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) are emitted into the atmosphere during the combustion of fossil fuels like coal and oil
• Also, industrial emissions such as ammonia (NH₃), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and particulate matter size is 2.5 microns or less (PM 2.5) are considered SPM sources

Effects of Exposure of SPM on Humans:

Long term exposure to SPM can cause serious respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The most severe consequences are felt by those that suffer from existing respiratory ailments such as asthma. These individuals are at particularly high risk for complications resulting from air pollution exposure. For example, children with existing allergic rhinitis or asthma have an increased incidence of rhino-conjunctivitis when exposed to elevated levels of SPM. In addition to these harmful effects on human health, exposure to air pollution can also contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain. Sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide are all significant contributors to air pollution. Along with increased incidence of respiratory diseases, exposure to SPM can also lead to decreased performance in cognitive functions. This is both at the level of the individual as well as groups of people, such as students exposed to high levels of SPM at school. Children living in areas with high amounts of SPM also tend to perform poorly in academic testing and have lower scores on achievement tests when compared to students exposed to less air pollution. Students performing poorly may also have a lower tendency for success in life, which is related to reduced income and educational attainment later in life.

Analysis:

Children are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution than adults because their lungs are still developing, causing them to be more susceptible to harmful health effects. SPM plays a significant role in the development and progression of acute respiratory illnesses like asthma and lung cancer. This is especially important for young children, who are at a high risk of respiratory illnesses, and whose lungs continue to develop. They are also at a greater risk for long-term adverse health effects, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. These risks increase with age, so the elderly population is also at a higher risk than younger people.

Regulation:

Particulate Matter (PM) is particles of any size. The smallest particles, those under 2.5 micrometres in diameter, are referred to as particulate matter of fewer than 10 micrometres (PM 10). Particles between 10 and 2.5 micrometres are called PM 2.5. These particles have many sources including vehicles, industrial facilities, residential heating and cooking sources, and plants or trees nearby – or even volcanic activity. Therefore, they can affect air quality at home and while driving on the road or taking public transport to work. The World Health Organization has recommended limiting the concentration of PM to 35 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), which is more than 20 times lower than the current average in some parts of India. Every day, 17% of these microscopic particles are so small that they can pass through the smallest breath receptors in our bodies. In general, air pollution is strongly correlated with poor health outcomes such as early death and even preterm birth. SPM has a direct impact on the health of both children and adults. Longer-term exposure to significant amounts of air pollution can cause additional health complications such as heart disease and diabetes to develop, as well as serious respiratory problems for children and adults alike. By regulating the size of particles, we can reduce the direct impact on human health. However, there are also indirect effects that require controlling other air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in addition to SPM.

Conclusion:

Particulate Matter levels are high in most major cities in India. The PM 2.5 level that can harm health comes down to 12 µg/m3 and would have a significant impact on health. Increased particulate matter levels on busy roads can impact negatively on our environment and the health of thousands of people affected by this pollution throughout the country. In conclusion, particulate matter matters to us as it does to the health of our environment as we destroy our environment and pollute it with air pollution and rush to work in a car. Its impact on our health is something that we need to be concerned about.