pluhur

Pluhur is the Albanian word for dust. In everyday usage it refers to tiny solid particles that are suspended in air, typically less than several tens of micrometers in diameter. Dust can accumulate on surfaces and be carried over long distances by wind.

Dust originates from both natural and human-made sources. Natural dust comes from soil, deserts, volcanic ash, pollen, and biological material. Human activities such as construction, mining, vehicle exhaust, burning of fossil fuels, and agricultural practices also generate significant amounts of dust and aerosol matter.

Composition varies by source and environment. Common components include mineral matter such as silicates and clays, organic material, crustal material, soot, and microscopic organisms. The tiny size of the particles influences how long they remain airborne and how deeply they can penetrate the respiratory system.

Health and environmental effects: inhalation of dust can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and, for fine particles, contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Dust particles also interact with climate by scattering and absorbing sunlight and by acting as nuclei for cloud formation.

Measurement and regulation: air quality monitoring uses sensors and gravimetric sampling to estimate concentrations of different size fractions, notably PM2.5 and PM10. Public health guidelines and regulatory standards set limits for these particulates to protect health, inform advisories, and guide pollution-control policies.

Etymology and usage: in Albanian, pluhur is primarily used as a general term for dust but appears in idioms and literature to convey notions of accumulation, time passing, or the presence of matter on surfaces.