<p>Consider air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide for which we use their chemical formulas, <span class="math-container">$\ce{CO}$</span> and <span class="math-container">$\ce{NO2}$</span> respectively, as a way to compactly refer to them when writing reports or academic papers. However there are some pollutants for which this notation does not correspond to a chemical formula, <em>e.g.</em> particulate matter which we also represent like this: <span class="math-container">$\ce{PM10}$</span>, <span class="math-container">$\ce{PM_{2.5}}$</span>.</p>
<p>Considering this, it feels that calling this notation a &quot;chemical formula&quot; is not appropriate. So what is the right name for this notation?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-15T20:07:25.230Z
I would denote $PM_{10}$ as _abbreviation_ and I am not aware of an overarching name for both notations. In addition to $PM_{10}$ we also have things like VOCs, which I would also consider as abbreviations -- but somehow different abbreviations ... . If you need a word for the heading of a table, I would suggest using _compound_, _species_ or _parameter_ (whereas, _parameter_ might be something different, if you do air quality modeling).
daniel.heydebreck
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-17T00:09:39.143Z
Thanks @daniel.heydebreck . Yesterday I did little more research and it seems that indeed it is an abbreviation or a symbol.
fire-bee
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-31T01:29:27.790Z
If looking more than an individual "abbreviation", but are referring to the whole groups, maybe some wider generic term, like "specie" instead of "chemical" could work.  "Species identifier"?  "Pollutant types" (or category) or just call them each pollutants?
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-06T04:38:30.010Z
PM₁₀ is used to describe whatever atmospheric pollutant as dust, ashes, metallic particles, cement... that is **liquid** or **solid** which aerodynamic diameter is smaller than 10 µm. PM2.5 smaller than 2.5 µm.
David García Bodego
<air-pollution><air-quality>
What is the appropriate name for air pollutant chemical formula like notation?
fire-bee
# What is the appropriate name for air pollutant chemical formula like notation?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-03-15)

Consider air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide for which we use their chemical formulas, $\ce{CO}$ and $\ce{NO2}$ respectively, as a way to compactly refer to them when writing reports or academic papers. However there are some pollutants for which this notation does not correspond to a chemical formula, *e.g.* particulate matter which we also represent like this: $\ce{PM10}$, $\ce{PM\_{2.5}}$.

Considering this, it feels that calling this notation a "chemical formula" is not appropriate. So what is the right name for this notation?

**Tags:** air-pollution, air-quality

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I would denote $PM_{10}$ as _abbreviation_ and I am not aware of an overarching name for both notations. In addition to $PM_{10}$ we also have things like VOCs, which I would also consider as abbreviations -- but somehow different abbreviations ... . If you need a word for the heading of a table, I would suggest using _compound_, _species_ or _parameter_ (whereas, _parameter_ might be something different, if you do air quality modeling).  
> **username_0**: Thanks @username_1 . Yesterday I did little more research and it seems that indeed it is an abbreviation or a symbol.  
> **username_2**: If looking more than an individual "abbreviation", but are referring to the whole groups, maybe some wider generic term, like "specie" instead of "chemical" could work.  "Species identifier"?  "Pollutant types" (or category) or just call them each pollutants?  
> **username_3**: PM₁₀ is used to describe whatever atmospheric pollutant as dust, ashes, metallic particles, cement... that is **liquid** or **solid** which aerodynamic diameter is smaller than 10 µm. PM2.5 smaller than 2.5 µm.  

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## 0 answers

