Dalhouise University

Data Source: http://fizz.phys.dal.ca/~atmos/martin/?page_id=140 State/District average data processed by Dr. Sarath Guttikunda (http://www.dri.edu/directory/4902-sarath-guttikunda) http://www.urbanemissions.info http://www.indiaairquality.info   Particle pollution, also called particulate matter or PM, is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets floating in the air. Some particles are released directly from a specific source, while others form in complicated chemical reactions in the atmosphere.  Particles come in a wide range of sizes. Particles less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter are so small that they can get into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems. Ten micrometers is less than the width of a single human hair.  Fine particles (PM2.5) are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, and can only be seen with an electron microscope. Fine particles are produced from all types of combustion, including motor vehicles, power plants, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, and some industrial processes