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Microplastics in Atmospheric Fallout of Delhi: Unveiling the Hidden Threats of Urban Pollution and Emerging Risks
Summary
Researchers tracked tiny plastic particles falling from Delhi's air over four months and found the amount tripled from October to January, with busy residential areas getting nearly double the plastic fallout of quieter suburban zones. Most of these particles were tiny plastic fibers from common materials like polyester and packaging plastics, small enough to potentially be inhaled deep into your lungs. Since this pollution is worsening and we breathe this air daily, the findings signal a growing health concern that needs more research and stronger pollution policies in major cities.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution in the atmosphere is an emerging environmental threat, particularly in a densely populated urban city like Delhi. The present study provides a preliminary assessment of weekly MPs deposition in urban and suburban environments of Delhi over four months (October to January) in year 2023–2024. Sampling was conducted at two different locations: one situated in a densely populated residential urban area characterized by intense anthropogenic activities, and the other located within a low-activity institutional zone in a suburban setting. The abundance of MPs in urban areas increased from 42.7 ± 13.4 MPs particles m−2 day−1 in October 2023 to 129.3 ± 17.5 MPs particles m−2 day−1 in January 2024. Similarly, the suburban area showed an increase from 20.0 ± 3.2 to 68.7 ± 11.5 MPs particles m−2 day−1 over the same period. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified the predominant polymer types as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), with fibres being the most frequently observed morphological form. The average size of MPs was 444.5 ± 56.2 µm, ranging from 11.1 to 1876.9 µm, with MPs in the 100–200 µm size range predominating. Also, the study highlights the significant influence of meteorological factors on the dispersion and distribution of atmospheric MPs. Overall, these findings provide crucial baseline data and highlight the urgent need to address airborne MPs in India’s capital, guiding future mitigation and policy development.