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Atmospheric Microplastics: Research Progress, Hotspots and Prospects of Global Environmental Problems
Summary
Tiny plastic particles are floating in the air all around us, indoors, outdoors, even in remote places, and we're likely breathing them in every day. This review of over 280 studies finds that while scientists know these particles can travel long distances and get into our lungs, research methods vary so much that we still can't say exactly how much is truly harmful to human health. The takeaway: airborne microplastics are a real and growing concern worth watching, but more consistent research is needed before we know the actual health risks.
Atmospheric microplastics are increasingly recognized as mobile particulate contaminants that can be emitted, resuspended, transported, and deposited across indoor, terrestrial, marine, high-altitude, and remote environments. However, reported abundances and particle characteristics remain difficult to compare because studies differ in sampling design, reporting units, particle-size limits, contamination control, and polymer identification. This review combines concise bibliometric mapping with a critical narrative synthesis. A Web of Science Core Collection search for 2000–2024 retrieved 356 English-language articles and reviews, of which 280 met the eligibility criteria. Publication output increased rapidly after 2020. Co-citation and keyword analyses identified three major themes: occurrence, transport, and deposition; sampling and analytical characterization; and exposure and potential ecological and health implications. The synthesis shows that active air sampling and passive deposition collection measure different atmospheric processes, while inconsistent blank correction, recovery assessment, and polymer confirmation limit inter-study comparability. Field observations and modelling support long-range transport and the importance of particle morphology, but quantitative source attribution remains uncertain. Current evidence supports inhalation exposure and biological plausibility, yet is insufficient to establish population-level risks or causal links with specific diseases. Future research should prioritize harmonized monitoring, stronger QA/QC, improved detection of small particles and nanoplastics, and integrated transport–exposure assessment.