CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Particulate matter:
more dangerous than thought
EU daily average limit value for
PM10: 50 microns/m3
Studies show that the smallest particles in the unfiltered air we breathe harm our health. Fine dust
with a particle size smaller than 10 micrometers (PM10) reaches the upper part of the respiratory
tract. Dust smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) penetrates into the bronchi and below 1 micron it
reaches the central region of the lung. Ultra-fine particles (smaller than 0.1 microns) can even
penetrate the cell membranes and spread through the body via the bloodstream. The possible
consequences include respiratory problems, reinforcement of atherosclerosis, allergy symptoms and
asthmatic attacks, heart disease, heart attack and lung cancer.
Particulate matter shortens our lives
Study results show that fine dust shortens life expectancy in the European Union (EU) by around
8.6 months. An estimated 348,000 people in the EU die prema turely each year due to particulate
matter, about 47,000 of them in Germany The smaller the particles are, inhalation of fine and ultrafine dust particles leads to an increasing risk of cancer, independent of their chemical composition.
People who inhale fine dust over a longer period have an increased risk of heart attack. This also
applies to dust loads below the currently applicable EU limits.
What is particulate matter?
Deposition of particles in the human respiratory tract
The definition of particulate matter goes back
to the “National Air Quality” standard for particulate matter introduced in 1987 (abbreviated
as PM-Standard) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency).
According to this standard, PM10 is a category
of particles whose aerodynamic diameter is less
than 10 micrometers (10 microns). The term
“particulate matter” represents the totality of tiny
particles from different sources, such as erosion,
sandstorms, volcanic ash, pollen, fungal spores,
bacteria or viruses. Among the anthropogenic
sources are power and district heating, transport,
diesel exhaust, brake and tire wear and road
dust. Not all particles are equally dangerous,
but highly toxic soot particles are particularly
critical.
Dust
classification
Place of
deposition
Respirable dust
(PM10 , d < 10 microns)
Nose, throat
and trachea
Respirable
particulate matter
(PM2.5, d < 2.5 microns)
Bronchi and
bronchioles
Respirable
particulate matter
(PM1, d < 1 micron)
Alveoli
(air sacs)
Ultra-fine particles
(UFP, d < 0.1 microns)
and nano-particles
Comparison of particulate matter values: EU and WHO
Annual average
Daily average
PM10
50*
50
40
20
EU
(binding)
Industrial emissions: man-made particulate matter
Limits for outside air, not for indoor air
WHO
(recommended)
Annual average
Daily average
PM2.5
20
25**
EU
(binding)
Values ​​in micrograms per cubic meter
*Excess allowed on 35 days per year
**Target value, binding from 1 January 2015
25
10
WHO
(recommended)
Date: 2014. Source: WHO, EU
(Directive 2008/50/EC)
Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament – commonly known as the “air quality
guideline” – sets out air quality and cleaner air
guidelines for Europe. According to this directive,
the daily average of 50 micrograms of PM10
per cubic meter may only be exceeded 35 times
a year. However, many cities reach higher values. The recommendations of the World Health
Organization are even stricter (see diagram).
Both the EU and the WHO have set limits for
outside air, but none yet exists for indoor air.
Filter classes, particles and types of filter according to size ranges
EN 779
G3 – G4
M5 – M6
EN
1822
F7 – F9
E10 – U17
Raindrops
Heavy industrial dusts
Hair
Example air pollutants
Pollen
Fog
Street dust
Abrasive dust
Spores
Bacteria
Respirable matter
Viruses
Possible methods
of separation
Gas molecules
Coarse dust filter
10.000 µm
Fine dust filter
EPA / HEPA / ULPA Filter
Active carbon filter
1.000 µm
100 µm
10 µm
1 µm
0,1 µm
90 percent of the day is spent indoors
There are many sources of air contaminants to
be found indoors. These include dandruff, hair
and germs from humans and domestic animals,
as well as plasticizers and solvents (gases),
which enter the indoor air via building materials
or furniture. The surprising fact is that pollution
of indoor air from noxious gases and particles
is often greater than that of outdoor air. According to the German Federal Environment Agency,
the average concentration in rooms with hard
floors is typically around 60 micrograms per
cubic meter – exceeding the daily EU limit value
for PM10 by 10 micrograms.
0,01 µm
0,001 µm
0,0001 µm
02 - IA - 301 - December - 2014 - EN
Freudenberg solutions: protection against fine dusts
Recent developments, such as increasing particulate pollution and the
increasing focus on the quality of indoor air, clarify the necessity and
demand for the tasks that Freudenberg has set itself as a manufacturer of
top-quality filtration solutions. With over 60 years of filtration experience
in general industrial air filtration, our experts develop filtration solutions
that offer protection against fine dust in a huge variety of areas. From
human, environmental and sensitive industrial processes, to dust-removal
technology, clean rooms, painting plants and gas turbines, healthcare,
shipping, or even in the home. Our solutions help to improve the quality
of life in countless settings.
ƒƒ Dust separation technology
ƒƒ Cleanrooms
ƒƒ Healthcare
Whether in the processing of sugar, wood or cement, in steel mills, foundries or surface treatment
processes - filter bags are used wherever there
are large quantities of dust. With our Viledon®
Nexx and Viledon® sinTexx Plus products, Freudenberg offers two innovations that are superior
to conventional products in terms of performance
and energy efficiency. Viledon® NEXX filter bags
with the unique Evolon technology represent the
next generation of surface filters with outstanding
advantages over conventional needle felt bags.
They are lighter and more efficient, stable and
resilient, are less susceptible to mechanical stress
and achieve low pressure drop values.
In clean rooms in the pharmaceutical industry,
food industry and in industrial processes such
as the production of microprocessors, air filters
ensure particle-free air that meets both health
and manufacturing standards.
Hospitals have extremely high hygiene requirements. This also applies to air filtration. Highquality Viledon® filtration systems ensure reliably
clean air, whether in the operating room or on
the wards.
ƒƒ Paint plants
ƒƒ Shipping
In paint plants and paint spray booths, Freudenberg filters prevent particles from becoming
trapped in the paint.
On one of the world's largest cruise ships, the
"Oasis of the seas", Viledon® filters ensure clean
and, at the same time, not excessively moist air in
air conditioning systems and other applications.
ƒƒ Gas turbines
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies SE & Co. KG
69465 Weinheim / Germany
Phone +49 (0) 6201 80–6264 | Fax +49 (0) 6201 88–6299
[email protected] | www.freudenberg-filter.com
Particularly popular in the Asian region, mobile
indoor air purifiers are used for the separation
of particles and harmful gases indoors. Examples
include pollution emitted by furniture, floor coverings or coatings, as well as airborne particles
and germs. Freudenberg Filtration Technologies
has developed specialist high-quality air filters
for this purpose.
© Freudenberg Filtration Technologies SE & Co. KG
Microfilaments: 0.15 dtex
ƒƒ Mobile indoor air purifiers
Viledon® is a registered and protected trade mark of Carl Freudenberg KG.
High air purity is required for the intake air of
gas turbines used for power generation. This is
because the smallest contamination can cause
serious damage to the system. Freudenberg filters are used in these applications as well.