Study Maps 25 Years of PM1 Air Pollution

Air pollution in the United States causes over 50,000 premature deaths annually, with new research highlighting increased concern over submicron PM1 particles, which pose greater health risks than PM2.5. A study from Washington University in St. Louis, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, has produced the first 25-year map of PM1 concentrations across the contiguous U.S. These particles are primarily emitted from sources like diesel engines and wildfires, but can also form from pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides during fuel combustion. Localized events, including a recent Code Orange air quality day in Delaware and ongoing issues in border cities like Laredo, Texas, illustrate the regional challenges of PM1 pollution. The research emphasizes the need for targeted regulation and improved community management of air quality. Findings highlight the importance of monitoring smaller particulates due to their higher potential for penetrating the body and causing severe health effects.