Understand the dangers of Particulate Matter exposure during physical exercise

Particulate Matter (PM), tiny particles suspended in the air, can be inhaled into the lungs and cause a variety of health problems, particularly for people who are active and engage in physical exercise.

Exposure to high levels of PM has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart attacks, among a number of other health conditions. Physical activity can exacerbate these health problems because it increases the amount of air you inhale, which can increase the amount of PM you inhale as well. This is especially true for people who live in urban areas where PM levels tend to be higher.

One of the main sources of PM is traffic pollution, particularly from vehicles that burn fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel. Other sources of PM include industrial emissions, power plants, and household heating and construction.

To protect yourself from the dangers of PM when exercising, it is important to be aware of the air quality in your area and to take steps to reduce your exposure to PM. While tools such as the Air Quality Index (AQI) can be useful, a more accurate way of testing real-time air quality when exercising is to take measurements of PM in the air with a sensor you own.

Another way to reduce your exposure to PM is to choose routes that are away from heavy traffic and to exercise during times of the day when PM levels are lower, such as early in the morning or late in the evening. Again a PM sensor will help you determine which are the safest routes and when. You can also use a pollution mask, which can help filter out PM and other pollutants from the air you inhale.

In summary, particulate matter is a type of air pollution that can pose serious health risks, particularly for people who engage in physical exercise. To protect yourself from the dangers of PM, it is important to be aware of the air quality in your area, take steps to reduce your exposure to PM.