An
aerosol is a
colloid of fine
solid particles or
liquid droplets, in air or another
gas. Aerosols can be natural or artificial. Examples of natural aerosols are
fog, forest
exudates and
geyser steam. Examples of artificial aerosols are
haze, dust, particulate
air pollutants and
smoke. The liquid or solid particles have diameter mostly smaller than 1 µm or so; larger particles with a significant settling speed make the mixture a
suspension, but the distinction is not clear-cut. In general conversation,
aerosol usually refers to an
aerosol spray that delivers a consumer product from a can or similar container. Other technological applications of aerosols include dispersal of pesticides, medical treatment of respiratory illnesses, and combustion technology.
Diseases can also spread by means of small droplets in the
breath, also called aerosols.