High particulate concentrations in the atmosphere have been linked to rises in the number of hospital visits for upper respiratory infections, cardiac disorders, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, emphysema, and similar respiratory problems. As a category of criteria pollutant, particulate matter is complex with size, chemical composition, and atmospheric concentration all important characteristics. This change was made because particles larger than 10 micrometers are quite effectively removed from the upper respiratory system by sneezing, coughing, or swallowing mucus.
Smaller particles have better chance of reaching the lungs.
Suggestions for using the data in the classroom Discuss and interpret the mean and median of the mortality numbers. Construct a histogram of the mortality numbers and identify any outliers. Obtain PM 10 daily readings for a given city from the EPA's Airs Database and observe the variability.