The fight against fine particulate matter pollution: a new health and environmental emergency

Air pollution from fine particulate matter is thought to be responsible for one in five deaths worldwide

Fine particulate matter poses health risks as it penetrates deep into the lungs and enters the bloodstream. In the long term, it can cause cardiovascular events, chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancer.

A recent US study reveals that mortality linked to particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres is thought to be twice as high as that indicated by official figures: nearly 100,000 deaths each year in France are thought to be caused by particulate matter emitted by wood-burning heating, industry and road transport.

Also highlighted as a concern by environmental authorities, these particles are carried over long distances and pollute water and soil. Their chemical composition is extremely harmful to the ecosystem and contributes to the climate change that is already underway.

Towards new regulations on fine particulate matter emissions

In urban areas, diesel engines are a major source of emissions (around 50 per cent). Due to the failure of filters fitted to cars, particles smaller than 10 microns in diameter are thought to be underestimated by a factor of up to 30.

Regulations to measure gas and smoke emissions already exist, whilst monitoring fine particulate emissions is complicated by their size and by advances in emission control technologies.

Pioneering European countries – the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany – keen to move towards a vehicle fleet that is as clean as possible, intend to make the measurement of particulate matter a mandatory part of the periodic vehicle inspection. In the Netherlands, testing centres will have to be equipped with high-performance and accessible equipment by 2022.

Capelec is collaborating with the European authorities to develop a solution

Following several years of research and specification work within a European working group, Capelec has developed an innovative particulate matter measurement cell.

Equally suited to the needs of vehicle inspections and the repair sector, it opens up new possibilities thanks to its groundbreaking technology.

As a specialist in emissions testing and measurement, Capelec designs and manufactures solutions aimed at reconciling road safety, mobility and environmental protection.

Find out more about the CAP3070 PN particulate measurement cell