Particulate Matter

Particulate matter (PM) refers to a mixture of tiny solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air, including dust, soot and smoke. It is commonly classified by size, such as PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀, which determine how deeply particles can enter the respiratory system. Particulate matter affects air quality, visibility and human health and is studied in relation to pollution sources and atmospheric processes.

Skyscrapers are seen amidst high air pollution levels in Bangkok
Bangkok air pollution forces 352 schools to closeNews

Bangkok air pollution forces 352 schools to close

Bangkok, Thailand | AFP Air pollution in the Thai capital forced the closure of more than 350 schools on Friday, city authorities said, the highest…
SourceSourceJanuary 24, 2025 Full article
Aerial photo of Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam’s capital blanketed by toxic smogNews

Vietnam’s capital blanketed by toxic smog

Hanoi, Vietnam | AFP Thick smog blanketed Hanoi on Friday, obscuring buildings and leaving nine million residents choking on toxic air as the Vietnamese capital…
SourceSourceJanuary 3, 2025 Full article
City buildings in the fog (s. air pollution, aerosols, dust, climate, science)
A deeper look at aerosols’ impact on wintertime haze formationScience

A deeper look at aerosols’ impact on wintertime haze formation

New research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences is reshaping our understanding of how light-absorbing aerosols contribute to winter haze events. These…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskDecember 30, 2024 Full article
Satellite Image of Canary Islands
Image of the day: Dense dust shrouds Canary IslandsNews

Image of the day: Dense dust shrouds Canary Islands

A dense haze, known locally as Calima, blanketed Spain’s Canary Islands on 17 December 2024 following Storm Dorothea. Strong winds carried suspended dust from the…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskDecember 19, 2024 Full article
Clay sprayed on the ocean’s surface converts carbon into food for microscopic zooplankton
Zooplankton and clay dust offer a surprising solution to carbon storageScience

Zooplankton and clay dust offer a surprising solution to carbon storage

Harnessing the natural appetites of zooplankton, researchers at Dartmouth College have developed an innovative way to accelerate the ocean’s capacity to store carbon, potentially advancing…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskDecember 10, 2024 Full article
The icons of the Brno city's ancient churches, castles Spilberk and Petrov. Czech Republic- Europe.
Air pollution’s persistent toll on health and nature across EuropeNews

Air pollution’s persistent toll on health and nature across Europe

Air pollution continues to pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems in Europe, despite some progress in mitigating its impact. According to the European…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskDecember 10, 2024 Full article
Small iceberg floating in ocean water under a bright sky with the Sun visible above - climate change effects (s. science, climate, Muser)
Climate Science Digest: November 25, 2024Science

Climate Science Digest: November 25, 2024

Wildfire smoke exposure linked to increased dementia risk A large-scale study involving more than 1.2 million members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California revealed a concerning…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskNovember 26, 2024 Full article
Small iceberg floating in ocean water under a bright sky with the Sun visible above - climate change effects (s. science, climate, Muser)
Climate Science Digest: November 20, 2024Science

Climate Science Digest: November 20, 2024

The factors behind the shifting trends of ischemic heart disease and stroke Incidence of stroke and ischemic heart disease are declining around the world, except…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskNovember 21, 2024 Full article
Image: People in colorful thermal scan with celsius degree temperature
Climate change exposure associated with increased emergency imagingScience

Climate change exposure associated with increased emergency imaging

Using data collected over a 10-year period from four emergency departments, researchers at the University of Toronto found that short-term exposure to ambient heat and…
SourceSourceNovember 19, 2024 Full article
Image: Fire destroying everything in its path
Illegal farm fires fuel Indian capital’s smog miseryNews

Illegal farm fires fuel Indian capital’s smog misery

New Delhi, India | AFP - The illegal burning of farm fields in northern India reached a record high this season, fuelling a toxic smog…
SourceSourceNovember 19, 2024 Full article
Image: Forest
Rainforest protection improves air quality and saves livesScience

Rainforest protection improves air quality and saves lives

Protecting the Amazon rainforest is delivering critical benefits for human health, as new research reveals that conservation efforts reduce air pollution and lower rates of…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskNovember 15, 2024 Full article
Image: A sick kid (AI Gen.)
Pollution tied to children’s cognitive challenges as risks extend beyond the lungsScience

Pollution tied to children’s cognitive challenges as risks extend beyond the lungs

Growing up in areas with high levels of air pollution may affect more than children’s physical health - it could be impacting their ability to…
Adrian AlexandreAdrian AlexandreNovember 3, 2024 Full article
Image: Smoke coming out of a tall smokestack in a city
The vicious cycle of climate change, wildfires, and air pollution: a growing threatClimate

The vicious cycle of climate change, wildfires, and air pollution: a growing threat

Wildfires as a growing global threat Impacts on agriculture and ecosystems A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reveals a vicious cycle where…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskSeptember 5, 2024 Full article
Image
Ozone monitoring sees significant advances, researchers reportScience

Ozone monitoring sees significant advances, researchers report

Recent developments in the monitoring of tropospheric ozone, a critical component in the formation of smog, show promising advancements, according to a study led by…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskAugust 29, 2024 Full article