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COVID lockdown significantly impacted microplastic bulk atmospheric deposition rates
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During France's first COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020, researchers measured a dramatic drop in airborne microplastic deposition in the Paris area -- about five times less than during normal activity. The dominant plastics found were polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. This provides direct evidence that everyday human activities like driving and industrial operations are a major source of the microplastics we breathe in.
Here, microplastic atmospheric deposition data collected at an urban site during the French national lockdown of spring 2020 is compared to deposition data from the same site in a period of normal activity. Bulk atmospheric deposition was collected on the vegetated roof of a suburban campus from the Greater Paris and analysed for microplastics using a micro-FTIR imaging methodology. Significantly lower deposition rates were measured overall during the lockdown period (median 5.4 MP m-2.d-1) than in a period of normal activity in spring 2021 (median of 29.2 MP m-2.d-1). This difference is however not observed for the smallest microplastic size class. The dominant polymers identified were PP, followed by PE and PS. Precipitation alone could not explain the differences between the two campaigns, and it is suggested that the temporary drop in human activity during lockdown is the primary cause of the reduced deposition rates. This study provides novel insight on the immediate impact of human activities on atmospheric microplastics, thus enhancing the global understanding on this topic.
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Local urban activity, Covid lockdown, and atmospheric microplastic deposition
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This study examined how COVID-19 lockdowns affected microplastic deposition from the atmosphere in an urban area. Reduced human activity during lockdown was associated with decreased atmospheric microplastic concentrations. The findings confirm that local sources — particularly vehicle traffic, industrial activity, and human movement — are significant contributors to urban airborne microplastics.
Microplastics in total atmospheric fallout: from lockdown to business-as-usual
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Scientists measured how much tiny plastic dust falls from the air before and during COVID lockdowns, when there was much less traffic and factory activity. Surprisingly, the amount of microplastics falling from the sky didn't drop much, suggesting these particles can travel long distances and linger in the air rather than coming only from nearby daily activities. This matters because it means we're likely breathing in these tiny plastic particles regularly no matter where we live, making it harder to simply reduce our exposure by cutting local pollution sources alone.
Distribution, Potential Sources, and Health Risk of Microplastics (MPs) in Street Dust during and after COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh
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Researchers compared microplastic levels in street dust from Dhaka, Bangladesh during and after COVID-19 lockdowns. They found that microplastic contamination was highest during periods without lockdown restrictions, with industrial areas showing the greatest concentrations. The study indicates that reduced human activity during lockdowns led to measurably lower microplastic pollution in urban street dust.
Distribution and possible sources of atmospheric microplastic deposition in a valley basin city (Lanzhou, China)
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Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition in Lanzhou, a valley basin city in China, during the COVID-19 pandemic period from February to August 2020. They found an average deposition rate of about 354 particles per square meter per day, predominantly small PET fragments and fibers, with local human activity identified as the main source. The study suggests that human activity patterns and rainfall are the dominant factors influencing the spatial and temporal distribution of airborne microplastics in urban environments.
Impacts of Pandemic‐Associated Plastic Waste on Microplastics in Ambient PM2.5
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Researchers measured microplastics in atmospheric PM2.5 samples collected from urban Xi'an before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that MP concentrations tripled during and after the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels, with transparent and white polypropylene and PET fibers dominant—consistent with increased single-use plastic disposal.
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