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Characterization and quantification of microplastics in indoor environments
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Researchers measured airborne microplastics in indoor spaces including offices, labs, dining halls, and dormitories. Dormitories had the highest microplastic levels, with fibers being the most common shape found. The study highlights that people are regularly inhaling microplastics indoors, where they spend the majority of their time.
Microplastics (MPs) have gradually attracted attention; however, people have paid limited attention to the existence of airborne microplastics, especially in indoor environments. In this study, we tracked microplastic deposition in offices, laboratories, dining halls, and dormitories. Results showed that the average microplastic abundance in the dormitory was the highest (14088.05 pcs/m3), followed by in the office (13097.13 pcs/m3), laboratory (7512.55 pcs/m3) and dining hall (4308.26 pcs/m3). The microplastics deposited at indoor environment were mostly dark, elongated and solid. The average particle size of the microplastics sampled at the four sampling points was 66.15 μm, but the size of the microplastics in the laboratory environment was smaller and more harmful. Airflow tests using air conditioners showed that turbulence increases the resuspension of microplastics. Our results also show that the frequency of human activities is one of the main factors leading to changes in the content of microplastics in indoor air, and turbulence caused by airflow will lead to the migration of microplastics in the indoor environment. In conclusion, indoor environments are prone to high microplastic concentration, which may pose certain potential risks to human health.
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Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels inside offices, classrooms, apartments, and homes across Malaysia over six weeks. Microplastics were found in every indoor environment tested, with fibers being the most common type, and people in homes were estimated to inhale more microplastics daily than those in offices or classrooms. The findings highlight that indoor air is a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure for people.
Airborne microplastic contamination across diverse university indoor environments: A comprehensive ambient analysis
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Researchers measured airborne microplastics across different indoor spaces at a university and found that people in those buildings inhale an estimated 180 to 240 microplastic particles daily. The most common types found were nylon, PTFE, polypropylene, and polyethylene, with fragments showing rough edges from wear and tear. This study highlights that indoor air is a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure for people who spend most of their time indoors.
Determination of microplastics in university interior environments
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This study measured airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor environments at a university, finding particles in air samples from multiple indoor settings. Results contribute to evidence that indoor air represents a significant daily source of microplastic inhalation exposure, particularly given the time people spend in closed indoor environments.
Study of suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess human exposure through inhalation
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Researchers investigated suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess the extent of human exposure through inhalation. The study quantified airborne microplastic particles in indoor settings, providing data on a potentially important but understudied route of daily microplastic intake for the general population.
Indoor Airborne Microplastics: Tracing Indoor Sources of Microplastic Pollution in Living and Working Space.
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Researchers swabbed dust from dorm rooms, labs, and other indoor spaces and found tiny plastic fibers everywhere, likely shedding from everyday items like clothing and carpets. Since we spend most of our time indoors breathing this air, these findings suggest our homes and workspaces could be a major—and largely overlooked—source of the microplastics we inhale, though more research is needed to know exactly how this affects our health.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.