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Technical Definition and Description

Demaray

Memorandum
To: Professor Karen Thompson
From: Amaia Demaray
Date: 4 October, 2015
Subject: Technical Definition and Description
This memo is to define and describe a term for the public to understand and
is related to my field of study. I chose to write about particulate matter 2.5
and the health complications that can ensure if exposed to in concentrated
amounts.

Audience and Purpose:

The specific audience that I chose is the public who are exposed to smoke
during an active fire season. Young children, elderly, and people with lung
conditions are the most susceptible to particulate matter 2.5 and should be
aware of the side effects. Most of the public has little to no knowledge of
what element in the smoke that causes the side effects that many
experience. The main purpose of this explanation to inform the public on the
process that stimulates the negative side effects that are often experienced.

Placement:
After the wildfire season that the Pacific Northwest saw this past summer,
the placement would be a news website or a workplace document that could
serve as a public service announcement. This document also contains
preventative measures that the public can use to reduce smoke exposure.
The audience will have little to no knowledge of particulate matter 2.5 so the
document will contain what it is, how it effects the lungs, and preventative
measures that can be taken.

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Technical Definition and Description

Demaray

Technical Definition: What is Particulate Matter

2.5?
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), are

small particles that are 2.5 microns

or smaller in size1. To give a visual,
they are 25,000 microns per inch, so
they are far from visible to the
naked eye. Figure 1 shows the size
of PM 2.5 relative to a piece of
human hair. PM 2.5 are the result of
the combustion process that occurs
in wildfires and campfires1. Due to
their size, they can travel hundreds
Figure 1 Illustration of the relative size of PM2.5
of miles and the path they travel is
largely influenced by wind patterns2.
In addition, PM 2.5 can be
suspended in the air for weeks at a time so they can be present when all
other signs are gone2.

Health Issues
Particulate matter is a large contributing
factor to the haze that occurs during the
wildfire season. PM 2.5 can get into the
oxygen absorbing parts of the lungs and
cause health problems such as decreased
lung function, irritation of the airways,
coughing, and difficulty breathing2. They
are the smallest particle that is measured
for health reasons and can travel the
furthest into the lungs as demonstrated
in Figure 2. Conditions that PM 2.5
aggravate the most include, but are not
limited to: asthma, lung disease, and
heart disease1.

Figure 2 Particulate Matter Spread Throughout the Lungs

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Technical Definition and Description

Demaray

Technical Description: How Particulate Matter 2.5

Affects The Lungs and How to Avoid It
Particulate Matter 2.5 enters the
lungs during inhalation. Typically,
when foreign objects enter the
respiratory system, they are
trapped in the mucous membrane
and are moved out of the airway
through the movement of cilia.
Cilia are small hairs that move like
the legs of a centipede. The
constant movement flushes the
Figure 3 Illustration of the Gas Exchange that Occurs in the Alveoli particle filled mucous out and the
process is often aided by coughing. When PM 2.5 is in high enough
concentrations, some of it fails to be trapped by the mucous. Instead, the
particles travel deeper into the respiratory tract and become trapped into the
alveolar region of the lungs. This is significant because this is the site where
oxygen moves into the blood stream and carbon dioxide moves out and is
exhaled through the lungs. This is where breathing takes place as
illustrated in Figure 3. Alveoli are not designed to get rid of particles and in
extreme cases the particles can lead to lung disease or heart disease if the
particles are water soluble2. This is why people with health conditions need
to take extreme caution when the air quality is bad.

Preventative Measures
There are many avenues to be proactive about lung health. The following are
some of easier way to mitigate the exposure of PM 2.5 as stated by the CDC.
1. Look up air quality reports in the local area. The air quality index
3, 4
is measured daily and is available forFigure
the 4public
. Index Chart and What Each Level Means
Air Quality

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Technical Definition and Description

Demaray

2. Keep indoor air quality as clean as possible. If an air conditioner

is present, keep it running as it will help filter the air3.
3. Avoid outdoor activities. Limit time spent outdoors and DO NOT
exercise as the heavier breathing will increase the effects of smoke3.
4. If one feels the need to wear a mask, make sure it is not a
comfort mask. Use only masks rated as N95 or better. These are the
only masks that will reduce the amount of PM 2.5 that is inhaled3.

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Technical Definition and Description

Demaray

Citation
1

Exposure to Smoke from Fires. Department of Health. New York State. Web. 4 Oct
2015.
2

What is Particulate Matter. Dylos Corporation Air Quality Monitoring Innovation.

Web. 4 Oct 2015.
3

Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke. CDC Features. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Web. 4 October 2015.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics. Air Quality Index. Air Now. Web. 4 Oct 2015.

Pictures
Insights Health Associates
https://insightshealthassociates.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/singapore-hazehow-dangerous-is-pm-2-5/
Clean Heat http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
Air Now http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi
PreMedHQ https://www.premedhq.com/alveolar-gas-exchange

Video Link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzBDNQ1ljE&feature=youtu.be