PM10 stands for particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less. These particles are small enough to be inhaled into the lungs and can cause adverse health effects. PM10 particles are a common air pollutant and can come from various sources such as dust from construction sites, landfills, agriculture, wildfires, brush/waste burning, industrial sources, wind-blown dust from open lands, pollen, and fragments of bacteria. High levels of PM10 can cause symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, and stinging eyes, and can worsen respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . PM10 particles can also affect animals in the same way as humans.

PM10 particles are different from PM2.5 particles, which are defined as particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. PM2.5 particles are a subset of PM10 particles and are generally described as fine particles. Both PM10 and PM2.5 particles can cause adverse health effects, and exposure to both has been associated with premature mortality, increased hospital admissions for heart or lung causes, acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, respiratory symptoms, and restricted activity days.

In summary, PM10 is a type of particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns or less that can cause adverse health effects when inhaled into the lungs. It is a common air pollutant that can come from various sources, and exposure to PM10 particles has been associated with respiratory diseases and other health problems.