Particulate Matter Testing
Real-time PM2.5 and PM10 monitoring for cleaner indoor air.
Overview
Particulate matter refers to tiny airborne particles that can enter your home and affect your respiratory health.
We provide accurate measurement and analysis of indoor particle pollution using professional-grade continuous monitoring equipment.
Certified
CARST · C-NRPP aligned
How small is small
Sized against what you already know.
A human hair is about 70 µm across. PM2.5 is roughly one-thirtieth of that — and PM1 is smaller again. None of them are visible without an instrument.
Human hair
Reference — visible to the naked eye.
Fine sand
Reference — gritty when rubbed.
PM10
Dust, pollen, mold fragments.
PM2.5
Smoke, combustion, secondary aerosols.
PM1
Ultrafines — invisible, enter bloodstream.
Circles are visually scaled, not to physical scale — the real size ratios span several orders of magnitude.
Where they end up
Particle size decides how deep it goes.
Bigger particles are stopped early. Smaller ones travel further into the lungs — and the smallest cross straight into the bloodstream.
PM10
Filtered out by the nasal passages and throat. Triggers irritation, sneezing, and allergic reactions.
PM2.5
Bypasses upper defences and reaches the bronchi and alveoli. Linked to asthma, COPD, and cardiovascular disease.
PM1
Crosses the alveolar wall directly into the blood. Reaches the heart and brain within minutes.
How particles travel
One source. Every room.
Fine particles don’t stay where they’re generated. HVAC moves them around — which means measurement matters in multiple rooms, not just the kitchen.
Cooking
Frying, searing, and gas burners spike PM2.5 by 10–100× background levels.
Wood stove & fireplace
Combustion releases ultrafine particles that travel through every room.
Wildfire smoke
Outdoor PM2.5 enters through windows, doors, and HVAC fresh-air intakes.
HVAC re-circulation
Without HEPA filtration, return ducts redistribute particles across the floorplan.
PM at a glance
By the numbers your lungs care about.
2.5µm
PM2.5 size
About 1/30 the width of a single human hair.
5µg/m³
WHO annual limit
Latest WHO air-quality guideline for PM2.5.
10–100×
Cooking spike
Indoor PM during stovetop cooking vs baseline.
Real-time
Monitoring
Continuous logging catches spikes plain averages miss.
What is particulate matter?
Particulate Matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. The key categories are:
- PM2.5 — fine particles smaller than 2.5 microns
- PM10 — larger inhalable particles up to 10 microns
Note:Fine particles (PM2.5) are considered most harmful because they can reach the bloodstream.
Why PM is a health concern
Exposure to elevated PM levels may be associated with:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Coughing or breathing discomfort
- Worsening of asthma symptoms
- Reduced lung function over time
- Increased cardiovascular risk with long-term exposure
Sources of indoor particulate matter
- Cooking (especially frying and burning)
- Candle and fireplace smoke
- Dust and dirt from outside
- Poor ventilation
- Tobacco smoke
- Construction or renovation activities
Note:Indoor air can sometimes be more polluted than outdoor air.
Measurement, not guesswork.
Every test uses professional-grade equipment and lab-verified analysis — no surprises, just data you can act on.
Book a TestHow PM testing works
- Continuous air quality monitoring
- Real-time measurement of PM2.5 and PM10
- Data logging over a defined period
- Analysis of pollution patterns and peak exposure times
What you receive
- PM2.5 and PM10 concentration levels
- Time-based pollution trends
- Indoor vs outdoor comparison (where applicable)
- Clear interpretation of results
- Practical recommendations for improvement
If particulate levels are high
- Improve ventilation (especially during cooking)
- Use HEPA air filtration systems
- Reduce indoor combustion sources
- Increase indoor cleaning and dust control
- Seal air leaks where outdoor pollution enters
Why choose us
Science-backed measurement, clear reporting.
Serving Vancouver Island
From South Island to North Island — major centres served:
- Victoria
- Sidney
- Sooke
- Duncan
- Nanaimo
- Parksville
- Qualicum Beach
- Port Alberni
- Courtenay
- Comox
- Campbell River
- Tofino
Book your particulate matter testing today.
Fast scheduling. Professional indoor air quality testing across Vancouver Island.