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Environment & Climate vocabulary · Pollution and Environmental Quality

particulate matter (PM)

Meaning in environment & climate, with examples

/pɑːrˈtɪkjələt ˈmætər/nounCommon term

In environment & climate, particulate matter (PM) means: Tiny solid or liquid particles in the air, such as dust, soot and smoke. The smallest ones, PM2.5, can travel deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream.

In Turkish: partikül madde (PM), ince toz

How it is used

Air quality reports use PM10 (particles 10 micrometers or smaller) and PM2.5 (2.5 micrometers or smaller), read 'P M ten' and 'P M two point five'. Concentrations are given in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) and compared with legal limits and WHO guidelines.

Example sentences

  1. Particulate matter levels exceeded the daily limit on 45 days last winter.

  2. Road dust and diesel engines are the main sources of particulate matter near the port.

Common collocations

  • fine particulate matter
  • PM2.5 concentrations
  • PM10 limit value
  • particulate emissions
  • air qualityHow clean or polluted the air is, measured by the levels of pollutants such as fine particles, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and sulfur dioxide.
  • pollutionThe presence in air, water or soil of harmful substances, or of noise, light or heat, at levels that damage people's health, wildlife or the environment.
  • smogA thick haze of air pollution over a city, formed from smoke, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions and often made worse by sunlight and still weather.
  • environmental monitoringThe regular measurement and recording of environmental conditions, such as air and water quality, noise or wildlife, to check compliance and detect changes over time.

More terms: Pollution and Environmental Quality

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