Particulate matter (PM) refers to the small particles in air pollution which can irritate the airways and caused damage to the alveoli. Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs across which gas exchange by diffusion occurs.
Fig. 1 shows the structure of an alveolus with a capillary running next to it.
Fig. 1
If concentrations of PM are high, the epithelium cells of the alveoli may be killed and replaced with unspecialised cells resulting in:
- Fewer functioning alveoli
- Thickening of alveolar walls
Explain how particulate matter would affect the process of gas exchange in human lungs.