A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of sources and analytical approaches of indoor microplastics

This systematic review and bibliometric analysis offer a comprehensive exploration of microplastics (MPs) in indoor air environments up to 2023. This article provides robust insights into the most recent advancements, source identification, and suitable analytical methodologies for emergent indoor pollutants. The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The selection procedure involved searching three prestigious journal databases, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, with a variety of search queries and stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. The bibliometric analysis provides a quantitative assessment of the global research output, revealing a notable upsurge in scholarly activity commencing in 2017, potentially catalysed by the heightened awareness of indoor air quality issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Key publication sources, such as “Science of the Total Environment” and “Environmental Pollution,” are outlined to shed light on the academic conduits in this field. In addition, the analysis reveals a hierarchy of research output, with China at the top of the list, followed by Australia, Iran, and Spain. Collaborative research efforts between the United States and China have become a prominent feature of the research landscape as a result of this prolific output. The review highlights the need for standardised protocols in the collection, preparation, and examination of indoor MP samples. The significant role ventilation systems play in the dispersion dynamics of MPs in confined spaces is evaluated. Regarding the prospective sources and properties of indoor MPs, this review's findings can raise awareness among architects, interior designers and product designers, as well as researchers.