Sources and Circulation of Microplastics in the Aerosphere – Atmospheric Transport of Microplastics

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere is becoming a global obstacle with infinite impacts on human health, agriculture, wildlife, and ecosystems. MPs are generated by the chemical, physical, and chemical degradation processes of plastic debris in roadside dumps and domestic waste. MPs that have contaminated the soil, sand, and water are reemitted into the atmosphere by the wind. Roadside dust is a major source of airborne microplastics. The aerodynamic shape of MPs favors long-distance transport, and pollution plumes also facilitate their transport and deposition. The abundance of airborne MPs depends on aerodynamics and environmental variables such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, human population density, local environment, and human activities. Wet and dry depositions of MPs contaminate water sources and food sources in the environment. Long-term ingestion of MPs into the human body via inhalation can adversely affect health. Additional field sampling and the implementation of standardized analytical protocols are required to identify the global distribution of atmospheric MPs and their potential effects on human health. This chapter discusses the sources, occurrence, pathways, and fate of airborne MPs in the environment, as well as their atmospheric chemistry. The potential health consequences of human MP exposure are discussed.