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Atmospheric Microplastics in Outdoor and Indoor Environments
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Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination across outdoor and indoor atmospheric environments, finding that microplastics are pervasive in both settings and that indoor sources — including synthetic textiles and furnishings — contribute meaningfully to inhalation exposure risks for humans.
Microplastics pollution is arising health concern due to the presence of microplastics in many ecosystems and human organs. This chapter reviews the abundance, source, and factors affecting microplastics in the outdoor and indoor environment. We found that...
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Microplastics in ambient air: a review of atmospheric abundance, human exposure and urgent research needs
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This review pulled together findings from 84 studies to show that tiny plastic bits called microplastics are floating in the air everywhere, indoors, outdoors, in cities, and even in remote places like Antarctica, with tiny plastic fibers being the most common type found. Since we're breathing this stuff in daily, early research links it to lung inflammation, cell damage, and metabolic problems, though scientists say we still need more studies to understand exactly how much exposure is harmful and over what timeframe.
A Research on Microplastic Presence in Outdoor Air
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in outdoor air, confirming that these tiny plastic particles are airborne pollutants present in open environments in significant quantities. This finding suggests that humans may inhale microplastics on a routine basis, adding atmospheric exposure to the dietary routes already documented in food and water.
Abundance and characteristics of atmospheric microplastics deposition in indoor and outdoor environments in Bangkok, Thailand
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Passive sampling across indoor and outdoor sites in Bangkok, Thailand measured atmospheric microplastic deposition rates of 154 particles/m²/day indoors and 103–263 particles/m²/day outdoors, with polypropylene fragments dominant and industrial sites showing the highest loads. These measurements confirm that Bangkok residents face continuous airborne microplastic exposure at home and outdoors, with indoor deposition from plastic packaging and polymer-based paints representing a direct and underappreciated inhalation and ingestion pathway.
A Review of Atmospheric Microplastics: Sources, Characteristics, and Detection Method
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This review synthesizes current knowledge on atmospheric microplastics, covering their diverse emission sources, physical and chemical aging processes during atmospheric transport, and the range of detection methods used across studies. Airborne microplastics represent a direct inhalation exposure route for humans and an underquantified vector for long-range plastic pollution dispersal, yet inconsistent detection methodologies and complex atmospheric aging mechanisms limit our ability to accurately assess health and climate impacts.
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.