Air quality guideline

Air quality guideline is an annual mean concentration guideline for particulate matter from the World Health Organization. The guideline stipulates that PM2.5 not exceed 10 μg/m3 annual mean, or 25 μg/m3 24-hour mean; and that PM10 not exceed 20 μg/m3 annual mean, or 50 μg/m3 24-hour mean.

In terms of health effects, the guideline states that P2.5 concentration of 10 is the lowest level at which total, cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality have been shown to increase with more than 95% confidence in response to long-term exposure to PM2.5.

See also

• List of most polluted cities in the world by particulate matter concentration

References

• WHO - WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide - Page 11