Types of Particulates

Particulates in the atmosphere may be of two types: viable or non-viable.

Viable particulates are small, living organisms -- such as bacteria, fungi, moulds and algae -- dispersed in air. Some fungi cause allergy in human beings and diseases in plants.

Non-viable particulates are small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air that are not themselves alive; besides polluting on their own, they also help transport the viable particles. There are four types of non-viable particulate, classified according …

Smoke particulate consists of solid particles, or a mixture of solid and liquid particles, formed by the combustion of organic matter. Examples: cigarette smoke, oil smoke, and smoke from the burning o …

Dust is composed of fine solid particles produced during the crushing and grinding of solid materials. Examples: sand from sand-blasting, saw dust from wood works, cement dust from cement factories, and …

Mists are formed by particles of spray liquids and the condensation of vapours in air. Examples: sulphuric-acid mist, and the mists formed by herbic …

Fumes are obtained by the condensation of vapours released during sublimation, distillation, boiling and calcination, and by several other chemical reactions. Examples: fume particles formed by organic solven …