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Breathing plastics in Metro Manila, Philippines: presence of suspended atmospheric microplastics in ambient air

Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2023 53 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Christine Joy M. Pacilan, Rodolfo A. Romarate, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Rodolfo A. Romarate, Rodolfo A. Romarate, Rodolfo A. Romarate, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Christine Joy M. Pacilan, Rey Y. Capangpangan Sheila Mae B. Ancla, Sheila Mae B. Ancla, Hernando P. Bacosa, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Hernando P. Bacosa, Rey Y. Capangpangan Dawn May Patilan, Dawn May Patilan, Dawn May Patilan, Arnold A. Lubguban, Dawn May Patilan, Rodolfo A. Romarate, Rodolfo A. Romarate, Astrid L. Sinco, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Astrid L. Sinco, Rey Y. Capangpangan Rey Y. Capangpangan Rey Y. Capangpangan Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Sheila Mae B. Ancla, Christine Joy M. Pacilan, Christine Joy M. Pacilan, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Rey Y. Capangpangan Hernando P. Bacosa, Sheila Mae B. Ancla, Astrid L. Sinco, Rey Y. Capangpangan Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Astrid L. Sinco, Astrid L. Sinco, Hernando P. Bacosa, Rodolfo A. Romarate, Hernando P. Bacosa, Christine Joy M. Pacilan, Astrid L. Sinco, Rey Y. Capangpangan Rey Y. Capangpangan Jaime Q. Guihawan, Jaime Q. Guihawan, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Rey Y. Capangpangan Rey Y. Capangpangan Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Rey Y. Capangpangan Hernando P. Bacosa, Arnold A. Lubguban, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Arnold A. Lubguban, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Hernando P. Bacosa, Rey Y. Capangpangan Rey Y. Capangpangan Hernando P. Bacosa, Arnold A. Lubguban, Rey Y. Capangpangan

Summary

Researchers conducted the first survey of airborne microplastics in Metro Manila, Philippines, sampling ambient air across 17 cities. They found suspended microplastics at every sampling location, with polyester fibers making up about 74% of all particles detected. The study estimates that an adult in Metro Manila could potentially inhale one airborne microplastic particle after roughly 99 to 132 hours of exposure at normal breathing rates.

Microplastics (< 5 mm) have lately been identified in the atmosphere of urban, suburban, and even distant places far from plastic particle areas, suggesting the possibility of long-distance atmospheric transport of microplastics. However, the occurrence, fate, transmission, and effects of these suspended atmospheric microplastics (SAMPs) are all currently unknown in the Philippines. This study investigated the presence of suspected microplastic in the atmosphere of sixteen cities and one municipality of Metro Manila, Philippines. Sampling was conducted using a respirable dust sampler mounted with a Whatman GF/C filter paper at an intake flow rate of 1.4 L/min with Whatman GF/C filter paper. Results reveal that all seventeen sampling areas have the presence of SAMPs. A total of 155 SAMPs were found and confirmed in Metro Manila, with the highest concentration in Muntinlupa City and Mandaluyong City (0.023 SAMP/NCM). Fourteen SAMP types were identified across the sampling areas, ⁓ 74% with polyester. This study is the first record of the presence of microplastics suspended in the ambient air in the Philippines. It is estimated that an adult person in Metro Manila has the potential to inhale (5-8 per minute, normal minute ventilation) about 1 SAMP if exposed for about 99.0 to 132 h. Further studies should be done to evaluate the fate and health effects of these SAMPs in Metro Manila's setting.

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