droplets

中国からの飛来が懸念されている微小粒子状物質「ＰＭ２・５」に対応するための緊急行動計画を政府が発表しました。微小粒子状物質はdropletsといいます。dropにdiminutive（指小辞）のletが付いた単語です。dropletsと、聞くとかわいい感じがしますが、とんでもないものなのですね。（EnDough）

Fears grow in Japan over effects of China's air pollution

Relatively high levels of particle pollutants carried by winds from China have been detected in western Japan, sparking fears that the hazardous materials could seriously affect people in a wide area of the country.

In Fukuoka, pollutants exceeding the limit set by the government were detected. The Meteorological Agency says the effects of the hazardous materials from China should be closely monitored until mid-March when westerly winds that carry the particles will ease. China's air pollution is attributed to the Chinese government's policy of placing priority on economic growth while putting off efforts to protect the environment. Thus, if the situation were to continue, it could even affect China's economic development.

The issue of concern is particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), tiny particles or droplets in the air that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. If a large quantity of the particles are inhaled, they could travel into the respiratory tract and settle deep in the lungs or elsewhere in the body, causing lung cancer or asthma.

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130205p2a00m0na011000c.html