Particularly harmful
Small particulate matter consists of small airborne solid or liquid particles. These can be released directly into the air or formed in the atmosphere from other chemicals such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (both of which Ontario's coal plants produce in vast quantities). Small particulates can reach deep into the lung or can enter the bloodstream and cause damage throughout the body. Particulates are thought to act as blood thickeners, causing strokes and heart attacks. They can also carry toxics, such as heavy metals, with them as they travel into our lungs or bloodstream. OPG's coal plants produce about 15% of the small particulate matter released by large industrial sources in Ontario.
