Albuquerque Wins $152,000 Grant for Fine Particulate Matter Monitoring

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The City of Albuquerque has won an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant for nearly $152,000 to monitor ambient air for fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, according to an EPA announcement issued today.

PM 2.5 are particles that measure 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. Found in smoke or haze, they can have serious health effects, especially for those with pre-existing conditions, when inhaled. PM 2.5 originate in several ways, including the interaction of air and gas emissions from facilities like power plants and factories, as well as automobiles. They can also be emitted directly from forest fires.

With the EPA’s grant of $151,996, the City of Albuquerque will be able to conduct ambient air monitoring and keep tabs on the levels of PM 2.5 pollution. This is important to public health, as the small particles can travel deep into the lungs when inhaled, causing heart and lung problems. These include nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, respiratory symptoms and even pre-mature death in people already suffering from heart or lung disease.