I keep seeing the term PM10 on air quality reports and I want to understand what it really means. I know it is related to dust or particles but I do not know how big these particles are. Some guides say PM10 includes things like pollen dust or small debris from roads. That surprised me because I thought air pollution was only from smoke or fuel burning. I also read that PM10 can irritate the throat and nose but it does not always go deep into the lungs like smaller particles do. Still it seems harmful when levels get too high. I saw warnings online saying people should avoid outdoor sports when PM10 rises. I want to know why these particles matter so much. If anyone can explain PM10 in simple words it would help me understand air quality better 
PM10 means particulate matter that is ten micrometers or smaller. These particles are bigger than PM2.5 but still small enough to float in the air. They come from dust storms soil roads and construction work. You can sometimes see them when the air looks hazy.
The main reason PM10 matters is because these particles enter the upper parts of the lungs. They irritate the throat and cause coughing in sensitive people. They may not go deep into the lungs but they still affect health especially during long exposure.
PM10 rises a lot in dry regions where soil becomes loose. Strong winds lift the dust into the air and spread it across large areas. This is why some cities face high readings during certain seasons 
This explains the dust storms well thank you
Many sensors measure PM10 by pulling air through a filter. They weigh the filter before and after collecting particles. The difference shows how much dust is in the air. It is a simple but effective method used by many monitoring stations.