fine dust

Microscopic floating particles

Fine dust refers to airborne particulate matter small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs—typically particles under 10 micrometers in diameter.

The term appears frequently in air quality reports and health advisories: Fine dust levels exceeded safe limits today.

In East Asia especially, fine dust warnings have become routine, prompting mask-wearing and activity restrictions.

Related
  • particlesMinute pieces of matter
  • powderFine dry particles
  • sootCarbon from incomplete burning
  • pollenFloral reproductive grains
  • motesMinute airborne particles

haze · smog · airborne · microscopic · PM2.5 · pollution · air quality · allergens · dander · ash · grit · sediment · speck · floating · inhale · breathing in · respiratory health · mask

Opposites
particle size

fine dustboulders

Large rounded stones

gravel · rocks · rubble · coarse sand · pebbles

material cohesion

fine dustsolid block

Continuous three-dimensional mass

monolith

Family

fine, dust, finely, fineness, finer, finest, dusty, dustier, dustiest

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G