The danger to human health caused by particulate matter (PM) itself is sometimes overwhelming and has expanded mankind’s scope of knowledge not only to exposure threats to air pollution outdoors, but also provides significant clues to its effects and dangers indoors as well.

These clues have unfortunately not stimulated a similar response in scientific curiosity or regulatory reaction, not even in heavily-impacted industries such as animal care and pet grooming. From early studies on industrial pollution in Western Europe, especially in the Saar and Rhur manufacturing centers of Western Germany, to worldwide locations encompassing developing countries on the path to rapid growth in their manufacturing sectors with ever denser concentrations of population, the need to face particulate matter’s (PM’s) threats to human and animal health has not stirred the scientific community to investigate and look for solutions.

An in-depth look or review of these efforts cannot be successfully presented in the context of a posted blog. However, I shall try my best to cover the issues studied and currently agreed upon in recent scientific activity, thus expanding our knowledge on the subject and applying this into a realistic appraisal of dangers found in the animal care industry environment.

It is important to remember that particulate matter (PM) has two separate and distinct sides to the dilemma within two different and distinct arenas of activity. The outdoor atmosphere arena has garnered the bulk of scientific study and having far and away the most comprehensive knowledge base with the indoor arena’s conditions and its specific threats coming in as a poor country cousin finishing in last place.

The separate sides of particulate matter (PM) pollution and consequences must also be separated by the danger presented by PM2.5 alone to human and animal health. The role PM2.5 may play in transporting other hazards to health such as fungi, bacteria, virus, and other contaminants that can be attached to and carried by PM into the respiratory and circulatory systems, and directly to the vital regions of the human brain and beyond have yet to be investigated or quantified with formal scientific studies. The full picture can only be imagined at this point, but one must wonder when man spends 90% of his time indoors, and the perfect storm of indoor airborne contaminants is here, why more scientific resources haven’t been allocated for eventual solutions.

Let’s first examine the threats caused by PM10 and smaller (coarse, fine, and extra fine sized particles) particulate matter (PM) by itself to short and long term exposure effects generally emphasizing the outdoor air arena and science’s most current understanding of the PM challenge.

As we’ve learned, particulate matter (PM) measuring 10 microns and smaller is capable of entering not only the upper respiratory system (corroding the alveoli of the lungs) and then progressing deep into the lungs and into the coronary system to do its damage, but even more recent studies have shown a direct nose to brain pathway.

This more recent discovery of nasal vulnerability to particulate matter (PM) penetration via olfactory neurons was shown in rats using an aerosol spray containing UO₄ (uranium) that showed trace amounts that entered the brain and spinal cord of rodents used in the testing. Before this revelation, invasive PM was thought to enter via the circulatory system, contributing to premature death in those diagnosed with cognitive impairments such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other arterial degenerative illnesses.

Numerous studies have associated inhalation of particulate matter (PM) with an early onset of damage to and eventual mortality of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, autoimmune, and central nervous systems, related to these conditions, and perhaps even the lymphatic system. And the main culprit points to PM2.5 and smaller fine and ultrafine sizes.

This data supports statistics showing a significant rise in premature deaths and disabilities between 1990 and 2019 of 31%. This coincides also with other recent studies tying particulate matter (PM) exposure with increased risk of early onset dementia and arterial degenerative illnesses.

So what are the short-term effects that particulate matter (PM) alone can cause with exposure of only hours or days?

1. Can cause asthma attacks
2. Can cause and aggravate acute bronchitis
3. Can increase flu and cold symptoms
4. Can aggravate heart and lung issues for those with existing conditions
5. Can cause extra hospital/emergency room visits
6. Can restrict work activity and increase employee absenteeism
7. Can aggravate and increase dermal reactions via skin contact

And then, what about the long term effects of particulate matter (PM) exposure alone over months and years?

1. Accelerates deterioration of lung function for those suffering respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, lung diseases, etc.
2. Reduces infants’ and children’s lung, heart, and brain development
3. Affects elderly at a high rate due to reduced immune and resistance capability
4. Increases healthcare visits and medical expenses
5. Causes higher rates of premature death in older women with long-term exposure to high levels of PM2.5
6. Creates higher rates of premature death for those with chronic heart and lung disease
7. Reduces lung function and speeds up deterioration in highest exposure cases
8. Leads to higher incidents associated with “Groomer’s Lung” in animal care professionals
9. Increase in premature death worldwide

Possible dangers to long-term PM2.5 exposure that still needs more comprehensive studies and analysis.

1. Evidence points to PM contributing to cardiovascular mortality
2. May lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
3. May lead to peripheral vascular system damage
4. May directly damage the myocardium leading to atherosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arteries)

Whether indoor or outdoor exposure to particulate matter (PM), especially with fine and ultrafine (PM2.5 and below), the only difference is that the cumulative concentration in such a compact space makes the indoor arena by far more dangerous for all our friends in the animal care industry, especially those with grooming services.

The attack starts outdoors from virtually uncontrollable sources, with some particulate matter (PM) migrating to the indoors, and then we really go all out by creating the almost perfect storm by piling up more contaminants, encouraging super PM growth. Then, we pump up the heat and humidity, and invite the little devils to stick around for days, weeks, or months. Next, we ensure maximum exposure to everyone, with our dryers and air agitating activities spreading our uninvited guests into every nook and cranny in our facility. It’s a major problem with unfortunately very limited public awareness.

Next, we will tackle the role particulate matter (PM) has in transporting more traditional health ailments, and how we can protect ourselves from them and their more serious side-effects.

Stay tuned for more exciting info,
The Professor