The main sources of inhalable particulate matter include the following:1. Smoke and dust generated by fuel combustion and industrial exhaust.
2. Burning one metric ton of coal without dust-removal equipment can release about 33.5 kilograms of soot and dust. Producing one metric ton of cement can release about 6.5 kilograms of total suspended particulates.
3. Heating boilers and household stoves can also emit substantial amounts of smoke and dust.
4. Of the particles emitted by heavy-oil combustion, approximately 40%–90% may be smaller than 10 micrometers.
5. Approximately 62%–80% of particles in vehicle exhaust may be smaller than 2 micrometers.
6. In clean ambient air, total suspended particulate concentrations are generally around 0.025–0.05 mg/m³.