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Microplastics and Associated Organic Pollutants in Indoor Environments
Summary
This review pulls together what scientists currently know about microplastics floating in our indoor air and settling into household dust — and it turns out we're breathing and swallowing more of these tiny plastic particles than expected, especially in cities and near waste facilities. These particles often carry harmful chemicals like phthalates and flame retardants, and kids are exposed to higher doses than adults. The takeaway: our homes and indoor spaces are a significant, underappreciated source of plastic exposure, and more research is needed to figure out how to reduce it.
This chapter provides an up-to-date overview of microplastics (MPs) and associated pollutants in indoor environments, covering multiple aspects like characterization methods, contamination status, influencing factors, and exposure risks. Active and passive techniques collected airborne particulate and settled dust samples, followed by separation and identification processes. A combination of microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, and other advanced techniques has characterized MPs physically and chemically. Indoor MPs’ prevalence and distribution profiles vary significantly between countries and microenvironments, implying the differences in emission sources, transport mechanisms, and environmental behaviors and fates. Urban areas with high population density and extensive domestic and traffic activities have been recognized as potential sources of MPs. Elevated contamination with MPs was also reported for waste processing facilities, showing specific profiles of polymer types. Additionally, MPs are essential carriers of organic micropollutants that act as plastic monomers or additives (e.g., phthalates, bisphenols, and flame retardants). MPs and related pollutants can enter the human body mainly through ingestion and inhalation pathways, leading to adverse health effects. Exposure doses of MPs are higher in children than in adults. More research is needed to provide comprehensive insights into the occurrence, characteristics, emission sources, potential risks, and abatement strategies related to MPs and their contaminants in indoor environments, especially in emerging and developing countries.