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Long-term assessment of microplastics in indoor high school air: Abundance, sources, and polymeric analysis
Summary
This long-term study monitored microplastic concentrations in indoor high school air over multiple years, finding persistent contamination dominated by fibers, with sources including synthetic textiles and suggesting that indoor air is a significant human exposure route.
Air pollution from traditional pollutants poses significant risks to both the environment and human health, presenting a substantial challenge for environmental management. In addition to legacy contaminants, the 21st century has introduced novel air pollutants such as microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5mm. While the health impacts of microplastics have not been definitively determined, studies suggest they have the potential to harm plant growth and human health. Limited research exists on microplastics in indoor air, particularly regarding detailed chemical characteristics, offering ample opportunity for further investigation into their behavior. In this study, microplastic samples were collected from the indoor air of a high school over a period of 12 months. Utilizing the passive deposition method, filters were changed weekly on Mondays before classes commenced, as selected by the students. To ensure result reliability, two filters were collected each week, resulting in a total of 106 samples over the study duration. The characteristics of the microplastic particles, including their quantity, morphology, dimensions, color, and chemical composition, were analyzed using an optical microscope and a LUMOS II micro-FTIR spectrometer. The study findings revealed that the quantity and characteristics of microplastics in indoor environments exhibited seasonal and monthly variations, with concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 7.06 MP/cm2. Elevated levels were observed in classrooms during instructional hours, decreasing during holiday periods. The majority of microplastic particles appeared in fiber form, accompanied by some fragments. The prevalence of fiber microplastics implies that indoor plastic materials serve as a significant source of microfibers. This heightened presence of microplastics in indoor settings may result in increased daily exposure for elementary school students through breathing. This project (EDIAQI) has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No. 101057497 https://ediaqi.eu Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/557307/document
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