All particulate matter, or Total Suspended Particulate (TSP), has been subject to controls by municipalities and states even prior to the Clean Air Acts of 1970 and 1990, and their predecessor acts dating as early as 1955. However, beginning in 1987, and following in 1997, 2006 and 2012, the USEPA has established standards for these fine subsets of particulate, PM10 and PM2.5. The states set Particulate Matter (PM) source emission limits in order to achieve the concentrations mandated by these standards.
While large particulate can be expelled by normal inhalation and coughing/sneezing, PM10 has been found to be able to embed in lung tissue and even enter the blood stream, where the particles’ chemical constituents will affect one’s health. The smaller PM2.5 particulate also has these health effects but as its smaller diameter approaches the wavelengths of visible light, it also produces the visible haze one can view from cities to the national parks. This fine particulate has been shown to increase heart attacks, aggravate asthma, reduce lung function and contribute to premature death.
PM10 and PM2.5 are produced in a multiplicity of ways. Natural phenomena, such as waves and wind, wildfires to evaporation, are among those that generate and disperse fine aerosols and solid particles. Human activity, such as transport, cultivation, animal husbandry, excavation, construction, etc., also add to the fine particulate in the atmosphere. Combustion, from residential heating to coal-fired electric utilities to fires in structures, increase this burden.
Finally, industrial processes, for producing goods and their intermediates, complete the sources of PM10 and PM2.5. Unlike many of the wide area contributors, these sources can be well controlled. Nederman provides the experience, design knowledge and physical equipment to capture, contain and filter the fine particulate, so that it doesn’t enter the atmosphere.
Nederman designs and supplies capture hoods that can be added to industrial equipment or over emitting processes to prevent fine solid particles or liquid mist from escaping into the surrounding air. Nederman’s ducting and air moving equipment will both contain this matter and convey it to a filtration device, or in the case of liquids, a wet scrubber, for removal from the air stream. Nederman supplies a wide variety of such devices, that can meet the particular requirements of the equipment or process, including temperature, chemical compatibility, pressure and air volume capacity. Nederman’s Menardi division can select and supply the filter media for such filtration equipment that will control the fine PM emissions with long service life and low energy consumption. Nederman service groups can also repair or upgrade existing emission control equipment to meet the emission criteria to achieve compliance with local PM regulations set to meet the NAAQS.
