PM10 and PM2.5: an international perspective

In 1997, the introduction of the new National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 in the USA resulted in controversy, not only with respect to the stringent Limit selected, but also due to the many problems associated with ensuring compliance with a standard for a pollutant which is so poorly und erstood. Europe has no standards for PM2.5 at present, but new standards ha ve been proposed for 2005. This paper addresses the research in progress wh ich will determine whether other countries will follow the USA's lead in se tting such standards. It discusses sampling and analysis techniques, follow ed by a summary of PM10 and PM2.5, as well as their control in coal-find po wer plants, concentrations in the atmosphere and health effects. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.