Talk about suspended material and particulate matter

Last Friday, 22 October 2010, I gave a talk about re-suspended material and particulate matter pollution as part of the Friday Seminar series.

Suspended material includes dust in dust storms, and ash during episodes of re-suspended ash. There are also occasions where dust and pollution travels from other countries.

It is possible to show that dust storms contribute to several days on which the health limit for PM10 pollution is exceeded. It seems that close to 1/3 can be attributed to dust storms, and this year ash has contributed to 8 of the 23 times the health limit has been exceeded.

For the past few years, it is safe to say that natural sources are responsible for about half of the days that exceed the health limit (50 micro-g/m³).