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Microplastics in Indoor Environments and Associated Health Risks
Summary
This review pulls together existing research showing that the air inside your home or office likely contains more tiny plastic particles (microplastics) than the air outside, coming from everyday things like household dust, synthetic fabrics, cleaning products, and packaging. Since most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, this matters because we're likely inhaling and ingesting more of these particles than previously realized, though scientists still don't fully understand the health risks. The researchers stress that more studies are needed to pin down exact dangers and figure out how to reduce this exposure at home.
Microplastics (MPs) are widely recognised as a significant contributor to indoor environmental pollution. Considering that individuals spend a significant amount of time in indoor environments, understanding the occurrence and origins of MPs in these settings is crucial for evaluating potential health hazards and developing mitigation strategies. Nonetheless, comprehensive research and data on MP levels are scarce in the context of indoor environments. This study provides an in-depth overview of indoor MP pollution, encompassing their sources of emission, potential health risks, and strategies for mitigation. Numerous reputable research databases, including Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, were used in the comprehensive literature search conducted for this study. This review synthesises evidence indicating that indoor environments tend to exhibit significantly higher levels of MPs compared to outdoor areas. Besides, this review explores the various sources and mechanisms that contribute to indoor airborne MP pollution, such as surface characteristics, cleaning and packaging materials, household items, ventilation systems, airflow turbulence, and human activities. Furthermore, this review highlights the potential health hazards associated with human exposure to MPs and emphasises the need to develop effective solutions to mitigate indoor MP pollution. Ultimately, this chapter has demonstrated that numerous areas and sectors require additional research. It has identified gaps that must be addressed.