Sustainability
Particulate Matter (PM10)
Description: Particulate matter is one of the six common air pollutants identified by the EPA as being critical to assessing the environmental health of a place. Particulate matter comes in various sizes. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have separated particulate matter into two groups: PM2.5 (particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter) and PM10 (particles between 2.5 and 10 microns in size). The principal cause for decreased visibility in the Phoenix area is linked to PM2.5, whereas PM10 accumulates in the upper respiratory tract of humans and is thus thought to contribute to chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, coughing, painful breathing and premature death (Greater Phoenix Regional Atlas: A Preview of the Region's 50-year Future, p. 39).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies Maricopa County as being in serious non-attainment status for PM10. Federal PM10 standards are exceeded when the 24-hour average concentration is greater than 150 micrograms per square meter.
Data Source: Data was collected in February 2009 by the Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) using records from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Monitor Trends Report - Criteria Air Pollutants for Maricopa County, AZ, Particulate Matter (PM10) for years 1997-2007.
Comments on the Quality of the Data: None.
