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In 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set new National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for a form of air pollution known as “fine particles,” or PM_2.5 – particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter.i   Fine particles can cause serious health effects at relatively low concentrations.  Tens of thousands of premature deaths each year are attributed to fine particle air pollution. ii 

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review and update the National Ambient Air Quality Standards every five years in light of new scientific and medical studies.iii   In May 2003, the U.S. District Court settlement between the American Lung Association and nine environmental groups and the EPA puts EPA on an enforceable schedule to complete the review of the fine particle standard by December 2005.  

• Fine particles in the air are made up of a variety of microscopic substances:  acid aerosols such as sulfates and nitrates, organic chemicals, metals, and carbon soot.iv
  
• Combustion of fossil fuels is the major source of fine particle emissions into the atmosphere.   Fine particles can be emitted directly into the air as smoke from wood stoves or agricultural burning or as soot from the exhaust of diesel trucks, buses and heavy equipment.  Fine particles can also be formed from gaseous emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides and organic compounds that are transformed in the atmosphere into sulfate, nitrate, and carbonaceous aerosols.  The major sources of these emissions are coal-fired power plants, factories, and cars.v  Prevailing winds can transport fine particles hundreds of miles in the atmosphere. 
  
• Fine particles are easily inhaled deep into the lungs where they can remain embedded for long periods of time.vi 
• Click here to view a Quicktime animation on how particle pollution affects the lungs.  You must have Quicktime installed on your computer to play our movie. Quicktime installation is easy! Just visit their website: http://www.quicktime.com and download.
  
• Hundreds of community health studies have linked daily increases in fine particle pollution to reduced lung function, greater use of asthma medications, and increased rates of school absenteeism, emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and premature death.vii
  
• In people with heart disease, very short-term exposures of one hour to elevated fine particle concentrations have been linked to irregular heart beats and heart attacks.viii 
  
• Long-term epidemiological studies have repeatedly demonstrated that people living in areas with high fine particle concentrations have an increased risk of premature death compared to those in cleaner cities.ix   The risk of dying early from cardio-respiratory diseases and lung cancer is higher in more polluted areas.x  Lives might be shortened by one to two years on average.xi 
  
• Fine particle pollution is especially harmful to people with lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, because particles can aggravate these diseases.xii   Exposure to fine particle air pollution can trigger asthma flare-ups and cause wheezing, coughing, and respiratory irritation in individuals with sensitive airways.xiii  People with heart disease such as coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure and people with diabetes are at risk of serious cardiac effects.xiv
  
• The elderly are at increased risk from fine particle air pollution.   Numerous community health studies have shown that when particle levels are high, senior citizens are more likely to be hospitalized for heart and lung problems, and some may die prematurely.xv 
  
• Infants and children may be especially susceptible to the health effects of fine particle pollution, because their lungs are still developing.   Children have greater exposure to air pollution because of their faster breathing rates and the increased amount of time spent playing outdoors.xvi  In addition to aggravated wheezing and coughing and reduction in lung function, over the long term, particle air pollution could stunt lung function growth in children.xvii
  
• Some studies suggest that pregnant women may be another sensitive group.   A limited number of studies report that high particle concentrations are associated with low birth weight in infants, pre-term delivery, and increased risk of infant mortality.xviii 

·    The current federal standard for PM_2.5 is 65 µg/m ³ measured over a 24-hour period, and 15 µg/m ³ on an annual average basis.  California has established a more stringent annual average standard of 12 µg/m ³.  Many areas of the United States have unhealthy concentrations of fine particle pollution. 

·    Areas where fine particle concentrations exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards must be designated as “nonattainment areas” under the Clean Air Act.  States must develop “State Implementation Plans” with enforceable strategies to reduce air pollution in order to attain the health standards. 

·    To limit exposure to fine particle air pollution, the American Lung Association offers the following tips: 

o         Avoid exercising near high-traffic areas

o         Do not exercise outdoors when particle levels are high, or substitute an activity that requires less exertion

o         Eliminate indoor smoking

o         Reduce use of fireplaces and wood-burning stoves

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For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org.