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Microplastics
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This chapter examines the sources, distribution, and impacts of microplastics found in both coarse and fine airborne particulate matter. Researchers found that microplastics originate primarily from industrial activities and degradation of larger plastic debris, and that inhalation and ingestion of these particles pose health risks. The study also discusses how microplastics may influence climate by disrupting energy dynamics and carbon cycles.
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment and living organisms including humans has emerged as a significant global concern in the recent decades. Ambient MPs primarily originate from industrial activities and degradation of larger plastic debris, contributing to both coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter. Inhalation and ingestion of these particles pose significant health risks. MPs can affect plant growth, alter photosynthesis and modify genetic expression, thereby impacting agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability. MPs can also influence climate by disrupting the Earth's energy dynamics and carbon cycles. This chapter focuses on the source apportionment of MPs in coarse and fine particulate matter (PM) and examines their impacts on human health, plants life, and climate change while deliberating on the mitigation strategies.
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Microplastics in the Air
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This book chapter examines atmospheric microplastic pollution, reviewing the presence of MPs in outdoor and indoor air, the mechanisms by which they become airborne, human inhalation exposure estimates, and evidence for respiratory health effects.
The Pollution of Atmospheric Microplastics and Their Potential Risks to Humans
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This review summarizes what is known about airborne microplastics—tiny plastic particles floating in the air we breathe—including their sources, distribution, and potential health risks. Fibers are the most common form found in air, and inhalation is an important but underestimated route of human microplastic exposure.
Atmospheric Microplastics and Human Health: Sources, Exposure, and Risks
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This review systematically summarizes the sources, distribution, and health implications of atmospheric microplastics in both indoor and outdoor air. The study highlights growing evidence that inhaled microplastics can enter the human body and pose potential risks to the respiratory system, while identifying key limitations and uncertainties in current exposure assessment methods.
Airborne Microplastics
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This chapter reviews the global concern over airborne microplastics detected in diverse air matrices from urban environments to polar regions, driven by atmospheric circulation that transports particles over vast distances. The authors assess sources, measurement methods, and potential respiratory health effects of inhaled airborne microplastics.
Microplastics in the Air and Their Associated Health Impacts
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This review examines the presence of microplastics in air and their associated health impacts, summarizing evidence for airborne microplastic distribution globally, potential exposure routes including inhalation, and documented biological effects such as oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, immune disruption, and neurotoxicity.
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.