Difference between revisions of "Particulate"

Latest revision as of 15:13, 17 July 2023

Description

Tiny solid airborne particles. Particulates are a type of pollution composed of Soil, Soot, proteins, and salts. They range in size from below 1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers. Particles above 10 micrometers tend to settle out quickly. Suspended particles smaller than 1 micrometer are called aerosols. They can provide a nucleus for condensation.

Sources of particulates include: Combustion residues (soot, smog, smoke, flyash), construction (roads, buildings, vehicles), humans (proteins), fibers (lint), biological specimens (spores, pollen), soil (dust, salt)

See Pollutant record for a comparison table of aerosols and collection risks.

Synonyms and Related Terms

particulate matter; aerosol particles; Feinstaub (Deut.); particule (Fr.)

Personal Risks

Particulates smaller than about 10 micrometers can settle in the bronchi and lungs

Collection Risks

Dust can cause disfiguration of objects, attract pests, and scratch soft surfaces by friction.
Some objects can be difficult to clean (feathers, minerals, microcracks, sticky objects, etc.);
Magnetic tapes (audio, video, data) and grooved recordings (78's, 45's, 33's and cylinders) are very susceptible to damage

Resources and Citations

Jean Tétreault, Agent of Deterioration: Pollutants, Airborne Pollutants
Wikipedia: Particulates Accessed July 2023
P.Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002.

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 Sources of particulates include: Combustion residues (soot, smog, smoke, flyash), construction (roads, buildings, vehicles), humans (proteins),  fibers (lint), biological specimens (spores, pollen), soil (dust, salt)
+* See [[Pollutant]] record for a comparison table of aerosols and collection risks.
 == Synonyms and Related Terms ==