We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in Urban Ambient Air: A Rapid Review of Active Sampling and Analytical Methods for Human Risk Assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
This review evaluated methods for sampling and analyzing microplastics in outdoor urban air to assess human health risks. Active air sampling combined with advanced techniques like micro-Raman spectroscopy can measure the smallest inhalable particles, which are most relevant to health. The authors found that fibers are the most common airborne microplastic and stress that better standardized methods are needed to understand how much microplastic people actually breathe in.
This study conducted a rapid review to evaluate active air sampling and analytical methods for characterizing outdoor air microplastics in urban areas. We synthesized information from 35 peer-reviewed journal articles. Studies utilizing active sampling methods were able to provide detailed data on inhalation concentrations and doses. The analytical techniques reviewed were categorized into microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mass spectrometry, including pyrolysis–gas chromatography (Py-GC). While conventional FTIR and Raman spectroscopy can identify microplastics in total suspended particles, advanced instruments such as µRaman and SEM are crucial for analyzing inhalable microplastics (e.g., particles smaller than 10 µm). Characterizing the shapes and colours of microplastics can provide qualitative estimates of their sources, with fibres and the colour black being the most predominant characteristics. Establishing dose–response relationships for health effects requires quantitative analyses; thus, combining techniques like µRaman with Py-GC is essential for comprehensive human risk assessments. Future studies should focus on identifying and quantifying inhalable microplastic compounds that are relevant to human health.
More Papers Like This
A review of airborne micro- and nano-plastics: Sampling methods, analytical techniques, and exposure risks.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review of 140 articles on airborne micro- and nanoplastics found that diverse sampling and analytical methods make cross-study comparisons difficult, limiting exposure risk assessment. The authors recommend standardization of methods and highlight that active samplers and FTIR/Raman spectroscopy are the most commonly used approaches for collecting and identifying atmospheric plastic particles.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in the air: a review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the occurrence, sources, physicochemical characteristics, and sampling and analytical methods for microplastics and nanoplastics in atmospheric air across urban, industrial, coastal, and remote environments. The authors find that fibers and fragments are the dominant atmospheric microplastic forms, that no standardized sampling methods currently exist, and that both passive and active collection approaches are used across the literature with limited comparability.
Status and prospects of atmospheric microplastics: A review of methods, occurrence, composition, source and health risks
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarized the sampling methods, occurrence, composition, sources, and health risks of atmospheric microplastics. Researchers found that airborne microplastics are detected both indoors and outdoors, with fibers being the most common shape, and that inhalation represents an important but understudied exposure pathway. The study suggests that atmospheric transport plays a significant role in the global distribution of microplastic pollution.
Analytical Challenges and Strategies for Particle-Based Analysis of Airborne Micro(nano)plastics in Size-Fractionated Samples Using Microscopy, SEM/EDX, and Raman Spectroscopy
AI summary Read the abstract
This review covered analytical strategies for characterizing airborne microplastics as particles, addressing sampling challenges, detection methods including spectroscopy, and the importance of particle-level analysis for accurate exposure assessment. It identified key methodological gaps and recommended standardization approaches.
Microplastics in the urban atmosphere: Sources, occurrences, distribution, and potential health implications
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes research on airborne microplastics in cities, finding that indoor sources like textiles and outdoor sources like traffic-related plastic particles are major contributors. Microplastic concentrations in urban air can be significant, especially in densely populated areas, and people can inhale these particles daily. The health implications of breathing in microplastics are still being studied, but early evidence suggests they may cause lung inflammation and other respiratory problems.
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.