Disposable Plasticware Production as a Source of Microplastics in Settled Dust: Quantification, Characterization, and Exposure Assessment

Disposable plastic production may be an understudied source of indoor microplastics (MPs) with implications for occupational exposure. These studies provide a preliminary baseline characterization of MP contamination and potential exposure within a disposable plasticware production administrative environment from Morbi district, Gujarat, India. As the dataset is derived from a single composite dust sample collected over a seven-day period, the results should be interpreted as indicative of site-specific conditions rather than broadly generalizable estimates. Sample processed using a contamination-controlled workflow (H2O2 digestion, ZnCl2 density separation, stereomicroscopy) and micro-Raman confirmation. The dust contained 2112 MPs/g, was overwhelmingly fragment-dominated (98.5%), and enriched in the 100–200 µm size class (42.4%); color profiling showed predominance of white (60.6%) and red (32.4%) particles. Polymer identification indicated a polystyrene (PS)-dominated signature (55%) with PET as a secondary contributor (25%). Ingestion is the primary pathway (~77% of intake). Results demonstrate that non-production indoor spaces adjacent to plastic manufacturing can act as MP hotspots, carrying polymer-specific fingerprints and measurable exposure burdens for administrative staff. Findings support targeted mitigation (source containment, enhanced filtration, cleaning) and recommend broader, multi-site airborne plus settled sampling to refine exposure and health-risk assessments.