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Airborne Micro- and Nanoplastics: Source Implications from Particulate Matter Composition
Summary
Researchers simultaneously measured airborne micro- and nanoplastics (AMNPs) and particulate matter (PM) across three sites in Japan in different seasons, identifying shared and distinct sources. AMNPs co-occurred with combustion-related PM components, providing evidence that airborne plastics partly originate from the same sources as fine particulate air pollution.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging pollutants detected in diverse environments and human tissues. Among them, airborne MNPs (AMNPs) remain poorly characterized due to limited data and methodological inconsistencies. Although regarded as analogous to particulate matter (PM), detailed comparisons with its components are scarce. To address this gap, this study implemented a unified and seasonal protocol for simultaneous measurement of AMNPs and PM across three sites in Japan. AMNPs were identified using micro-Raman spectroscopy, enabling polymer- and morphology-resolved analysis. A total of 106 AMNPs were identified across all sites and seasons. Polyethylene (PE) was consistently dominant, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA). Site-specific variation was evident, with certain polymers being relatively more abundant depending on the local environment. Feret diameter analysis showed a modal range of 4–6 μm, with fragments predominating over granular and fibrous particles. Significant correlations between AMNP concentrations and PM components were determined, including syringaldehyde (SYAL), tungsten (W), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr), suggesting links to local sources, while indicating that AMNP dynamics are not always aligned with PM behavior. This study provides one of the first integrated datasets of AMNPs and PM components, offering insights into their occurrence, sources, and atmospheric relevance.