ClimateAugust 10, 2026
microns
MY-kronz
Definition
Units of length equal to one-millionth of a meter, often used to measure the size of fine atmospheric particles.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'mikron,' meaning 'small thing.' It was adopted into scientific English in the late 19th century as a standard unit of measurement for microscopic objects.
In the news
The article uses 'microns' to define the diameter of dangerous fine particulate matter (PM2.5) produced by wildfires, explaining why these tiny particles are particularly hazardous to human health.
The U.S. just had its hottest month in recorded history, surpassing Dust Bowl record
Read the full article ↗Yale Climate Connections