Why is Particulate Matter harmful?

Particulate Matter (PM) has serious effects on health, according to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).

Thanks to their small size, PM enter the body via the respiratory tract. Larger particles are often caught in the nose or can be coughed up again, which means they do not penetrate as deeply into the lungs. Smaller particles (PM2.5 or PM0.1) however penetrate deep into the branches of the lungs, passing from there into the blood or lymphatic system.

Once in the bloodstream, these particles can be transported to any organ in the body where they cause damage. In addition, the jagged structure of these particles allows other toxic substances to accumulate and, because of their small size, they can no longer be exhaled or recognised and combated by the immune system.

In addition, some fine dust particles can both last a very long time in the environment and be transported over extremely long distances.