Health and Environmental Impacts of PM

Health effects

• Many scientific studies have linked breathing PM to a series of significant health problems, including:
• Aggravated asthma
• Increases in respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficult or painful breathing
• Chronic bronchitis
• Decreased lung function
• Premature death

Atmospheric deposition

• Particles can be carried over long distances by wind and then settle on ground or water. The effects of this settling include:
• Making lakes and streams acidic
• Changing the nutrient balance in coastal waters and large river basins
• Depleting the nutrients in soil
• Damaging sensitive forests and farm crops
• Affecting the diversity of ecosystems