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Additive fingerprinting of airborne plastic-related particulate matter in occupational environments: Insights from targeted and untargeted analysis
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Researchers tested the air in a textile factory, a water bottling plant, and a tire repair shop, and found each workplace had its own unique chemical "fingerprint" of plastic-related particles floating around—things like phthalates (used to soften plastics), tire-wear chemicals, and other additives. This matters because it shows workers in different industries may be breathing in different mixtures of plastic-derived chemicals depending on their job, which could help scientists better pinpoint health risks and target protective measures for specific workplaces rather than treating all plastic particle exposure the same way.
This study aimed to assess the potential of polymer additives as chemical markers of plastic-related emissions in airborne particulate matter in occupational environments, within the broader context of airborne micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). Particulate matter collected in three facilities— a textile production (FTX, Facility – Textile), a mineral water bottling plant (FBW, Facility-Bottling Water) and a tyre service and repair facility (FTR, Facility – Tyre Repair)—was investigated to explore the relationship between polymer additives and particulate composition. Samples from multiple sites and size fractions were analysed using a combined targeted and high-resolution untargeted GC-MS approach to characterise plastic additives (e.g. phthalates, alternative plasticisers, antioxidants, UV filters) and related organic compounds. Distinct chemical fingerprints were observed for each facility: FTX was characterised by high-molecular-weight phthalates and terephthalates, with mean concentrations of 5.8 ng/m³ for DEHP and 4.3 ng/m³ for diethyl terephthalate. FBW was dominated by citrate- and adipate-based plasticisers, where acetyl tributyl citrate and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate showed a mean concentration of 9.4 ng/m 3 and 1.7 ng/m 3 , respectively. FTR showed higher levels of tyre-derived antioxidants and rubber markers, such as tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (mean: 20 ng/m 3 ), 6PPD (3.3 ng/m 3 ), and benzothiazole (1.5 ng/m³). Size-resolved analysis showed enrichment of additives in fine fractions at FTX and in coarse fractions at FTR, reflecting process-specific emission mechanisms. Untargeted screening revealed a complex mixture including auxiliary materials, lubricants, surface treatments and other process-related compounds, providing a comprehensive characterisation of indoor particulate composition. Overall, the results demonstrate that the combined targeted and untargeted chemical profiles reflect site-specific processes and materials, allowing the discrimination of different emission scenarios across the investigated facilities.
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