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Atmospheric deposition of microplastics at a western China metropolis: Relationship with underlying surface types and human exposure
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Researchers measured microplastic fallout from the atmosphere in Chengdu, China, and found that the type of ground surface below -- urban, green space, or mixed -- influenced how much airborne microplastic accumulated. Using a probability model, they estimated that people are exposed to significant amounts of airborne microplastics during outdoor activities, adding to the growing evidence that we inhale these particles daily.
The issue of atmospheric microplastic (AMP) contamination is gaining increasing attention, yet the influencing factors and human exposure are not well-understood. In this study, atmospheric depositions were collected in the megacity of Chengdu, China, to investigate the pollution status and spatial disparities in AMP distribution. The relationship between AMP abundance and underlying surface types was then analyzed with the aid of back trajectory simulation. Additionally, a probabilistic estimation of human exposure to AMP deposition during outdoor picnics was provided, followed by the calculation of AMP loading into rivers. Results revealed that the mean deposition flux ranged within 207.1-364.0 N/m/d (14.17-33.75 μg/m/d), with significantly larger AMP abundance and sizes in urban compared to rural areas. Areas of compact buildings played an important role in contributing to both fibrous and non-fibrous AMP contamination from urban to rural areas, providing new insight into potential sources of pollution. This suggests that appropriate plastic waste disposal in compact building areas should be prioritized for controlling AMP pollution. Besides, the median ingestion of deposited AMPs during a single picnic was 34.9 N/capita/hour (3.03 × 10 μg/capita/hour) for urban areas and 17.8 N/capita/hour (7.74 × 10 μg/capita/hour) for suburbs. Furthermore, the worst-case scenario of AMPs loading into rivers was investigated, which could reach 170.7 kg in summertime Chengdu. This work could contribute to a better understanding of the status of AMP pollution and its sources, as well as the potential human exposure risk.
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Atmospheric microplastics at a southern China metropolis: Occurrence, deposition flux, exposure risk and washout effect of rainfall
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Researchers measured airborne microplastics in Guangzhou, a major city in southern China, finding them throughout the year with higher levels during the rainy season. They estimated that adults in the city inhale tens of thousands of microplastic particles annually through normal breathing. Rainfall helped wash microplastics out of the air, but it also deposited them onto surfaces where they can enter water and soil, creating another pathway for human exposure.
Characteristic of microplastics in the atmospheric fallout from Dongguan city, China: preliminary research and first evidence
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Researchers characterized microplastics in atmospheric fallout collected in Dongguan City, China, finding that airborne microplastics are deposited daily and that urban areas generate significant atmospheric microplastic emissions.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition in an urban agglomeration: Spatiotemporal dynamics, influencing factors and ecological risks
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Researchers tracked microplastic pollution falling from the air across a major Chinese urban region (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) over a full year, finding that busier, wealthier, more populated areas had significantly more tiny plastic particles raining down from the sky, especially in spring. Most of these particles were tiny plastic fibers, often from synthetic textiles, small enough to potentially be inhaled, and the study found "moderate" to "high" ecological risk levels at various sites, highlighting that the air we breathe in cities is a real and measurable source of microplastic exposure that changes with location and season.
Microplastic atmospheric dustfall pollution in urban environment: Evidence from the types, distribution, and probable sources in Beijing, China
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Researchers collected atmospheric dustfall samples across urban Beijing and analyzed the types, distribution, and likely sources of airborne microplastics. They found that synthetic fibers from textiles and fragments from various plastic products were the dominant forms, with concentrations varying by location and proximity to pollution sources. The study provides evidence that urban atmospheric microplastic pollution is widespread and likely linked to daily human activities and industrial processes.
Atmospheric deposition is an important pathway for inputting microplastics: Insight into the spatiotemporal distribution and deposition flux in a mega city
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Researchers monitored microplastic fallout from the atmosphere in the Chinese megacity of Wuhan over an entire year and found an average of about 83 particles landing per square meter per day. The highest concentrations fell in spring, with city centers receiving more than suburbs, and most particles were tiny fibers from textiles. This study shows that simply breathing outdoor air and living in a city exposes people to a constant rain of microplastic particles.
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