What is Particulate matter?

Particulate matter is tiny bits of stuff floating in the air that we can’t always see.

Imagine you're playing with a bag of sand and dust, when you shake it, little pieces fly out. That’s kind of what happens with particulate matter, but instead of sand, it's like tiny pieces from cars, factories, or even your own breath. These bits are so small that they can float in the air for a long time.

Some parts are bigger, like when you kick up dirt on the playground, and some are super tiny, smaller than a grain of salt. The really tiny ones are hard to see, but they can get inside your lungs when you breathe.

If you’ve ever worn a mask during a dusty day at the park or felt your throat tickle from blowing bubbles, that’s kind of like what particulate matter does, it's like invisible dust that can make your nose and throat feel funny. Sometimes, it can even affect how well your lungs work.