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Micro/nanoplastics in the Shenyang city atmosphere: Distribution and sources
Summary
Researchers measured micro- and nanoplastics in airborne particulate matter in Shenyang, China, and found plastic particles in every sample tested, with concentrations averaging 7.62 micrograms per cubic meter and making up about 12% of fine particulate matter. Since these tiny airborne plastics can be inhaled deep into the lungs, they represent a direct route of human exposure that may contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
The contamination of atmospheric particulate matter with diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) by micro/nanoplastics has increasingly attracted scholarly interest. These micro/nanoplastics can be inhaled into the human respiratory system, potentially leading to respiratory and circulatory diseases. However, current methodologies for quantifying small-sized micro/nanoplastics are inadequate, leading to a limited understanding of their determination and sources. This study aims to conduct both qualitative and quantitative analyses of micro/nanoplastics in PM2.5 in Shenyang City utilizing pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), while also investigating their pollution characteristics and sources. Micro/nanoplastics were detected in all atmospheric PM2.5 samples, with polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) identified as the predominant components. The highest recorded mass concentration of micro/nanoplastics was 28.92 μg/m, with an average concentration of 7.62 μg/m, accounting for 12.33% of the total PM2.5 mass. The findings indicate a positive correlation between the concentrations of PM2.5 and micro/nanoplastics, suggesting that PM2.5 may serve as a significant transmission medium. The primary sources of micro/nanoplastics have been identified as domestic, industrial, and agricultural activities. This study represents the first assessment of micro/nanoplastics in Shenyang, highlighting the importance of understanding their characteristics and sources. It provides compelling evidence regarding airborne pathways and the potential health impacts of atmospheric microplastics on human health.