Particulates

This category refers to particles that are inert, meaning not alive. During the course of a year, the average home accumulates approximately 40 lbs of household particulate, or dust as most refer to it. This quantity of particulate comprises of a variety of pollutants originating in the home and from outdoor sources. Inert particulate alone usually cause the least amount of health problems, but for some, may become a severe irritant, causing reactions or life threatening illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. An example would be asbestos or cigarette smoke. Heavier particulate is usually removed by vacuuming and dusting. Lighter migratory particulate or dust can be removed by portable or fixed filtration systems. Particulate of under 2.5 microns can infiltrate the lining of our lungs.

Although airborne living organisms (bio-aerosols) are often referred to as particulate when determining the total suspended particulate (TSP) or respirable suspended particulate in a building, we have separated this classification into it's own category for explanatory purposes.