Q.What are Particulate Pollutants ? Give example.

Particulate pollutants are microscopic solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, arising from combustion, industry, and natural sources, and are harmful to health because they can be inhaled deep into the lungs.

Particulate pollutants (particulate matter, PM) are minute solid or liquid particles dispersed in the air, ranging in size from roughly 0.0002 to 500 micrometres. They can remain suspended for long periods and are typically categorised by particle type:

• Smoke: fine solid particles/liquid droplets from incomplete combustion (e.g. from vehicles, factories, burning of fuel/biomass).
• Dust: fine solid particles produced by grinding, crushing, or disturbance of soil (e.g. construction sites, unpaved roads).
• Fumes: solid particles formed by condensation of vapours from processes like metal smelting/welding.
• Mists: liquid droplets suspended in air (e.g. sulfuric acid mist from industrial processes).
• Fly ash/soot: fine carbon/ash particles from burning of coal and other fuels. …