The potential of airborne particles to cause adverse health effects is strongly influenced by their size. During inhalation, particles with an aerodynamic diameter of up to 100 μm may enter the human respiratory tract. However, only the finer particles, typically those with diameters below 5 μm, are able to penetrate deeply into the lungs and reach the alveolar region. These smaller particles are now widely recognized as posing the greatest health risks due to their enhanced capacity for deposition within the respiratory system and their association with various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Consequently, accurately characterizing particle size has become a fundamental aspect of atmospheric particulate matter assessment. In this context, measuring only total suspended particles (TSP) or total suspended matter (TSM) is no longer sufficient; instead, particulate matter must be separated and quantified according to specific size fractions.
In order to understand the effects of particles that enter the human respiratory system, it is necessary to use equipment that simulates the efficiency with which particles enter through the nose and mouth, until they reach the areas of the human body most susceptible to injury.
Publication Date: 2026-06-19