EJScreen Indicators Overview – Diesel Particulate Matter
What is the diesel particulate matter indicator?
The “diesel particulate matter (PM) indicator” measures how much diesel PM (a mixture of particles from diesel exhaust) people might be exposed to. EJScreen presents diesel PM concentrations using percentile rank, ranging from 0 (lowest) to 100 (highest) with higher scores representing higher concentrations.
Why is diesel PM important?
- The EPA lists diesel exhaust as a mobile-source air toxic due to the health effects linked to exposure from vehicles. Fine diesel particulates allow toxic compounds to penetrate deeply into lung tissue, transfer through the circulatory system to other organs, and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Research indicates that diesel exhaust is carcinogenic to humans and associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
- Diesel fuel powers automobiles, trucks, and heavy on-road and off-road equipment. Diesel emissions represent the bulk of the sooty elemental carbon particulates that form the matrix of urban smog.
How does EJScreen create the diesel particulate matter indicator?
- The diesel PM concentration is measured in units of micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).
- Diesel PM concentrations are provided by the EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. The source data are from the EPA Air Toxics Screening Assessment.
- For technical details on the calculations and source data, visit the EJScreen Technical Documentation.
Moving Forward – What You Can Do
- Stay informed on the latest relevant information and resources on the EPA Particulate Matter Pollution site.
- Learn about the human health and environmental effects of diesel exhaust.
- Visit the EPA’s AirToxScreen to learn which air toxics may be of concern to you, to better understand the risks from air toxics exposures, and how to open a dialogue with your local air agency about air quality in your area.
- Reduce your PM exposure:
- Every day AirNow’s Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is, any associated health effects that may be of concern, and what you can do to decrease your exposure. Go to About AirNow to learn how you can get AQI notifications.
- The Air Quality Flag Program can help air agencies, schools, and other community organizations notify their citizens of harmful air quality conditions and provides guidance on how to adjust physical activities to help reduce exposure to air pollution, while still keeping people active.
- Everyone can take steps to lessen air pollution and keep the air clean. It is also important to take certain precautions to safeguard your health. Visit AirNow for tips on what you can do.
- See what the EPA and others are doing to reduce diesel emissions through new technologies and regulations. Learn about the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding opportunities that may be relevant to your state or local authorities here.