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Abundance and characteristics of atmospheric microplastics deposition in indoor and outdoor environments in Bangkok, Thailand
Summary
Passive sampling across indoor and outdoor sites in Bangkok, Thailand measured atmospheric microplastic deposition rates of 154 particles/m²/day indoors and 103–263 particles/m²/day outdoors, with polypropylene fragments dominant and industrial sites showing the highest loads. These measurements confirm that Bangkok residents face continuous airborne microplastic exposure at home and outdoors, with indoor deposition from plastic packaging and polymer-based paints representing a direct and underappreciated inhalation and ingestion pathway.
Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) deposition in indoor and outdoor environments has yet to gain significant attention in Bangkok, Thailand. Outdoor MPs deposition is a potentially severe issue as it can contaminate agricultural land, water bodies, and water treatment plants. Similarly, indoor MPs can enter the human body during inhalation and ingestion as an individual spends most of the time indoors. This study employed a passive sampling method, followed by digestion, density separation, Nile red (NR) tagging, and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to identify the abundance and characteristics of MPs in indoor and outdoor (urban, semi-urban, and industrial) air in Bangkok, Thailand. This study revealed an average indoor MPs deposition of 154 ± 62 particles/square meter/day (p/m2/d). Fragments (68%) were the most abundant shape indoors. Polypropylene (PP) was the most common polymer type. Indoor MPs likely come from plastic items, such as packaging, bags, and containers/bottles, during tearing and opening and polymer-based paints and coatings due to aging. Similarly, the average MPs deposition rate was 103 ± 52, 238 ± 109, and 263 ± 128 p/m2/d at Chulalongkorn (urban), SIIT (semi-urban), and Bangkadi (industrial) sites, respectively. Fragments dominated other shapes in all the outdoor sites. PP was the polymer most repeatedly observed at Chulalongkorn, while polyethylene (PE) was the most common polymer at SIIT and Bangkadi. It is speculated that environmental degradation of plastic wastes (packaging, containers, and bags) and polymer-based paints and coatings on infrastructures add MPs to the atmosphere.