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Microplastics in the Air
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This book chapter examines atmospheric microplastic pollution, reviewing the presence of MPs in outdoor and indoor air, the mechanisms by which they become airborne, human inhalation exposure estimates, and evidence for respiratory health effects.
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere has become a worldwide environmental issue, representing a facet of plastic pollution that has received limited attention thus far. This study addresses the global issue of MPs in the air. Examining the sources, distribution, and consequences of airborne MPs, the study reveals their diverse origins, including atmospheric transport, plastic degradation, and emissions from human activities. Mechanisms like wind patterns and atmospheric deposition facilitate their dispersion. The challenges of detection and measurement are explored, considering collection methods and analytical approaches. Primary and secondary forms of MPs, originating from direct release and larger plastic breakdown, are identified. The summary highlights potential ecological and human health impacts, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research to assess inhalation exposure risks and the effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As the first step in comprehensively understanding plastic pollution, this research underscores the urgency for further investigation into airborne MPs, urging a holistic approach to environmental management.
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A Review of the Sources, Environmental Behaviours and Human Health of Atmospheric Microplastics
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This review examined sources, environmental behaviors, and human health impacts of atmospheric microplastics, distinguishing indoor from outdoor MP exposure and summarizing evidence on how airborne MPs are emitted, transported, transformed, and inhaled.
The Pollution of Atmospheric Microplastics and Their Potential Risks to Humans
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This review summarizes what is known about airborne microplastics—tiny plastic particles floating in the air we breathe—including their sources, distribution, and potential health risks. Fibers are the most common form found in air, and inhalation is an important but underestimated route of human microplastic exposure.
Airborne Microplastics
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This chapter reviews the global concern over airborne microplastics detected in diverse air matrices from urban environments to polar regions, driven by atmospheric circulation that transports particles over vast distances. The authors assess sources, measurement methods, and potential respiratory health effects of inhaled airborne microplastics.
Atmospheric Microplastics and Human Health: Sources, Exposure, and Risks
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This review systematically summarizes the sources, distribution, and health implications of atmospheric microplastics in both indoor and outdoor air. The study highlights growing evidence that inhaled microplastics can enter the human body and pose potential risks to the respiratory system, while identifying key limitations and uncertainties in current exposure assessment methods.
Microplastics in the Atmosphere
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This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on microplastic pollution in the atmosphere, covering sources, transport, deposition, and potential health effects of inhaled airborne microplastics. The authors note that initial research focused on marine environments but atmospheric microplastic pollution is a rapidly growing concern.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.