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Impacts of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5) on the atmospheric quality of the District of Morales - Province of San Martin – 2022
Summary
Researchers measured PM2.5 air pollution at 10 sites in a Peruvian district and used scanning electron microscopy and FTIR to characterize particle composition, identifying microplastics (specifically perfluorododecyl iodide-type particles) alongside mineral components at concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines. The study is significant because it directly documents microplastic particles embedded in airborne particulate matter, providing evidence of inhalation as a human exposure route to microplastics.
The particles (PM 2.5) contain a series of contaminants present on their surface, including minerals released into the environment and microplastics, among others, which affect air quality and people's health. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of particulate matter (PM2.5) on atmospheric quality in the Morales district of the city of Tarapoto. The design was non-experimental, applied and cross-sectional. For this purpose, 10 sampling stations were considered where air samples were collected for the measurement of PM2.5 by gravimetry and the characterization of PM2.5 by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. (FTIR); Climatological measurements were also made, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and speed, during a period of 10 days in the month of March 2022. The results indicated a range of PM2.5 between 71 µg/m3 (point: CA- 07) and 123 µg/m3 (point CA-10) and perfluorododecyl iodide type microplastic was identified, which suggests continuing with a monitoring program as an instrument to help control sources of pollution in the city.