Microplastics exposure levels based on building composition and usage in built environmnet

Plastics, ubiquitous in modern life due to their versatility and convenience, are closely integrated into our daily lives and are one of the most widely used materials. The degradation and fragmentation of plastic products lead to the formation of microplastics, which disperse throughout both external and internal environments. These microplastics can enter the human body through ingestion via the food chain or inhalation in indoor settings. Prior research has revealed potential health hazards associated with microplastics, including organ inflammation and respiratory ailments. While investigations into microplastic ingestion and exposure from external sources such as oceans, drinking water, and food are ongoing, research into the inhalation risks posed by microplastics generated indoors from diverse sources like clothing, curtains, carpets, air conditioning units, and interior finishing materials is still in its early stages.The prevailing IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Guide delineates standards for controlling CO2, fine dust, and odors within indoor settings, coupled with ventilation and filtration strategies to meet these standards. However, specific targets for controlling and ventilating microplastics within indoor spaces are absent. This lack of targeted guidance is rooted in the intricacies of accurately evaluating indoor microplastic exposure levels. The occurrence rate of microplastics fluctuates depending on indoor conditions, and their diminutive size and heterogeneous shapes complicate real-time detection. This study aims to address this gap by examining the daily generation rate of microplastics within various indoor environments to access exposure levels.To achieve these objectives, residential and office buildings, representative of typical indoor spaces , were selected for this research. Microplastics were collected from various locations within these structures over three months to ascertain absolute generation rates and variations in these rates. The collected specimens were subjected to analysis via Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy to identify the quantity, dimensions, morphology, and typology of microplastics. By quantifying the daily accumulation of microplastics engendered within indoor environments,this study aims to provide fundamental data on microplastic exposure levels and propose control standards for indoor spaces. This information can function as an invaluable resource for formulating effective ventilation strategies to mitigate microplastic exposure, ultimately contributing to the design of optimal ventilation systems custom-tailored to specific building uses.