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Aerosols Generatedin the Wastewater Treatment ProcessAre a Potential Source of Airborne Microplastics
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Researchers found that aerosols generated during the aeration and agitation steps of wastewater treatment processes carry microplastics into the air above treatment plants, identifying wastewater treatment facilities as a localized source of airborne microplastic exposure for workers and nearby communities.
Airborne microplastics pose a significant risk to human health. Similarly to the water–air transfer process, such as sea spray, aerosols generated during the wastewater treatment process, driven by aeration and mechanical agitation, are an overlooked potential source of airborne microplastics. This study constitutes the first attempt to investigate the pollution characteristics of microplastics in aerosols generated during wastewater treatment, based on laser direct infrared spectroscopy (LDIR) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Microplastics were ubiquitously observed in aerosols from each unit of the wastewater treatment plant, with abundances in the range of 0.83–28.03 items·m–3. A total of 30 different polymer types were identified by LDIR, while polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate were the most common polymers. Film and fragment were the main shapes, with a predominant size range of 20–50 μm. The aerosolization degree of microplastics is affected by the aeration intensities and hydrodynamic conditions maintained in each unit, but also varied depending on their inherent characteristics. These findings suggest that the aerosolization of microplastics from wastewater treatment is a potential source of airborne microplastics. This study contributes a novel insight into the occurrence of microplastics in aerosols generated during wastewater treatment.
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Aerosols Generated in the Wastewater Treatment Process Are a Potential Source of Airborne Microplastics
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Researchers found that aerosols generated during wastewater treatment processes, driven by aeration and mechanical mixing, contain microplastics that can become airborne. Using advanced detection methods, they identified 30 different polymer types in aerosol samples collected from various stages of a treatment plant. The study reveals that wastewater treatment facilities may be an overlooked source of airborne microplastic pollution, similar to how ocean spray transfers microplastics from water to air.
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Researchers investigated the relationship between microplastics and pathogenic bacteria throughout a wastewater treatment plant, finding significant correlations between microplastic abundance and populations of potential pathogens including Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Acinetobacter. Fibers and fragments were the dominant microplastic shapes, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene in the 0.5-1 mm size range. The study also found that microplastics influence microbial aerosolization during treatment, suggesting they may play a role in spreading airborne bacteria from wastewater facilities.
Wastewater treatment plants as a source of microplastics to the environment.
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This study was the first to characterize the contribution of a wastewater treatment plant to microplastic pollution in a receiving water body, confirming that plants are significant sources of microplastics despite removing the majority of particles. The findings highlight the need to upgrade treatment processes or implement new technologies specifically targeting microplastic removal.
Airborne Microplastics in Workplaces: Preliminary Findings from a Multi-site Investigation of Plastic Handling and Processing Facilities
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A multi-site investigation of airborne microplastics in plastic handling and processing workplaces found elevated concentrations compared to outdoor air, with particle morphology and polymer types reflecting the specific plastics handled at each facility, identifying occupational inhalation as a significant exposure pathway.
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