Microplastics generation from flooring materials under UV exposure: A comprehensive analysis of microplastics emission and chemical deformation

To investigate the sources of microplastics (MPs) emissions in indoor environments, study analyzed the generation of MPs upon the degradation of flooring materials caused by walking friction and UV exposure from sunlight entering indoor spaces. Three common flooring materials, carpet tiles, laminate flooring, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring, were subjected to perform degradation experiments using a walking simulation device and a weathering chamber. The study analyzed the surfaces of the flooring materials, MPs concentrations, morphological characteristics, and chemical deformation. Surface analysis of the degraded flooring materials demonstrated the effects of walking-induced friction and UV exposure on material deterioration, confirming the potential for MPs generation. The concentration analysis revealed trends in MPs emissions based on the duration of UV exposure. Additionally, morphological analysis of MPs provided insights into their generation from flooring surfaces. Furthermore, chemical composition analysis indicated that the delta carbonyl index of MPs increased by 2.68, 20.00, and 4.03 times for carpet tiles, laminate flooring, and PVC flooring, respectively, after UV exposure. The study verifies MPs generation from flooring materials due to walking friction and UV exposure and offers insights into the chemical transformations of MPs.