What level of exposure to particulates is considered unhealthy?
[Back to Top] People have experienced health problems from exposure to particles over long periods (years) and from periods as short as 1 to 24 hours. Epidemiological studies have reported a linear relationship between exposure and effects; higher concentrations of particles have a greater effect on the health of populations. Scientists have not been able to identify a threshold below which health effects do not occur. According to the World Health Organization, long-term epidemiology studies show that the risk of premature deaths starts to increase when the annual average of fine particle concentrations exceeds10 micrograms per cubic meter. The EPA has set an annual and a 24-hour standard for fine particulate pollution to protect human health. The annual standard is 15 micrograms per cubic meter. This represents particle levels averaged over an entire year, and is designed to protect the public from long-term exposure. The 24-hour standard is 35 micrograms per cubic meter, and protect
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- What level of exposure to particulates is considered unhealthy?
