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Indoor microplastics and bacteria in the atmospheric fallout in urban homes

The Science of The Total Environment 2022 70 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Jiana Li Jiana Li Quan Gan, Jiawen Cui, Jiana Li Jiawen Cui, Jiana Li Jiana Li Jiana Li Quan Gan, Chen Chen, Jiana Li Jiana Li Chen Chen, Quan Gan, Chen Chen, Chen Chen, Wei Li, Wei Li, Jiawen Cui, Jiana Li Jiana Li Zhaogeng Lu, Chen Chen, Lı Wang, Biao Jin, Wei Li, Wei Li, Chen Chen, Quan Gan, Quan Gan, Quan Gan, Jiana Li Jiana Li Jiana Li Chen Chen, Chen Chen, Lı Wang, Jiana Li Wei Li, Biao Jin, Zhaogeng Lu, Chen Chen, Tongfei Wang, Wei Li, Jiana Li Chen Chen, Jiana Li Chen Chen, Jiana Li Jiana Li Wen Zeng, Jiana Li Jiana Li Jiana Li Jiana Li Jiana Li Xiaowen Xu, Xiaowen Xu, Chen Chen, Wei Li, Wei Li, Jiana Li Lı Wang, Jiana Li Gang Chen, Biao Jin, Lı Wang, Zhaogeng Lu, Jiana Li Xiaowen Xu, Biao Jin, Jiana Li

Summary

Researchers measured indoor airborne microplastics and bacteria across different rooms in 20 urban homes. The study identified nearly 24,000 microplastic particles of 21 polymer types and found that microplastic abundance varied by room type and usage patterns, with a significant correlation between microplastic concentrations and bacterial community structure in the home environment.

Polymers

PA PE PU

Humans may be exposed to microplastics (MPs) through food, drink, and air. Although several studies have examined indoor environmental MPs, none have yet compared atmospheric MP and bacterial deposition characteristics among rooms in homes. We investigated indoor airborne MPs and bacteria in five room types (bedroom, dining room, living room, bathroom, and study) based on the duration of usage of each room. We identified synthetic polymers (23,889 MP particles of 21 types) and bacterial communities (383 genera belong to 24 phyla) collected through atmospheric deposition in various rooms of 20 homes. The abundance and composition of MPs are related to the duration of usage, human activities, goods, cleanliness, and the composition of occupants (family members) in households. In addition, the homes of elderly families (age 68-81 years) showed higher bacterial concentrations than those of young families (age 28-35 years), indicating that age markedly affects the structure of household microbiota. Furthermore, a significant correlation between MP concentration and bacterial community structure was observed. The abundances of polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene (PE) showed positive correlations with the relative abundances of major bacterial phyla. Taken together, our results suggest that various rooms in the home exhibit distinct MP abundances and bacterial structures that may be affected by age, cleanliness, and human activities.

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