Suspended Atmospheric Microplastics in the Outskirts of Seoul City: Seasonal Variability, Correlation with Meteorological Drivers, and Daily Human Inhalation Exposure Assessment

Comparison of Microplastic Characteristics in the Indoor and Outdoor Air of Urban Areas of South Korea

AI summary · Read the abstract

Researchers compared indoor and outdoor airborne microplastic levels across urban South Korea, finding indoor concentrations were about 1.5 times higher than outdoors and that building ventilation rates directly influenced particle accumulation, suggesting ventilation management as a key exposure-reduction strategy.

Abundance, characterization, and distribution of atmospheric microplastics in three major cities in China

Microplastics in ambient air: a review of atmospheric abundance, human exposure and urgent research needs

AI summary · Read the abstract

This review pulled together findings from 84 studies to show that tiny plastic bits called microplastics are floating in the air everywhere, indoors, outdoors, in cities, and even in remote places like Antarctica, with tiny plastic fibers being the most common type found. Since we're breathing this stuff in daily, early research links it to lung inflammation, cell damage, and metabolic problems, though scientists say we still need more studies to understand exactly how much exposure is harmful and over what timeframe.

Atmospheric Microplastics in Outdoor and Indoor Environments

AI summary · Read the abstract

Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination across outdoor and indoor atmospheric environments, finding that microplastics are pervasive in both settings and that indoor sources — including synthetic textiles and furnishings — contribute meaningfully to inhalation exposure risks for humans.

Airborne Microplastic Pollution in a Highly Urbanized City: Occurrence, Characteristics, Human Exposure and Potential Risks

AI summary · Read the abstract

Airborne microplastic monitoring in Guangzhou found concentrations averaging 2.5 particles/m³, with fiber-form MPs from synthetic textiles dominant and levels highest near high-traffic areas, translating to estimated human inhalation of 4,100–12,180 particles per year. Quantifying inhalation exposure in megacities is a public health priority given emerging evidence that airborne MPs deposit in lung tissue and may drive respiratory inflammation.