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Seasonal co-occurrence and inhalation risks of microplastics and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers in atmospheric PM2.5 from northern Chinese city
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Researchers conducted a year-long study of airborne microplastics and UV-stabilizer chemicals in fine particulate matter in a northern Chinese city. They found that both pollutants co-occurred with distinct seasonal patterns, peaking in winter when air quality was poorest, and that inhalation risk estimates were elevated for children. The findings highlight that breathing in microplastics alongside their chemical additives may pose a combined health concern.
Microplastics (MPs) and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) are emerging contaminants in airborne PM, yet their co-occurrence patterns, seasonal dynamics, and health risks remain poorly understood. We conducted a year-long study (2023-2024) in Shijiazhuang, a northern Chinese city, analyzing PM samples (n = 117) for MPs (abundance, size, polymer type) and BUVs (UV-320, UV-327, UV-328) via microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UPLC-MS/MS. Correlations with criteria air pollutants (PM, PM, NO, CO and O) and meteorological factors (temperature, humidity and wind scale) were assessed using spearman analysis. Health risks were evaluated via inhalation exposure models. MPs (predominantly PP/PS/PE/PC fragments) and BUVs peaked in winter (MPs: 9.56 N·m; ∑BUVs: 7.10 ng·m) due to low temperatures, weak solar radiation, and stagnant air, contrasting with summer minima (MPs: 6.18 N·m; ∑BUVs: 2.23 ng·m). MPs correlated with PM (r = 0.69), PM (r = 0.61), CO (r = 0.54) and BUVs (r = 0.58), while BUVs associated with CO (r = 0.74), NO (r = 0.77) and MPs (r = 0.58), suggesting shared emission sources (e.g., plastic waste combustion). Annual inhalation exposure reached 3.86 × 10 MPs/person and ∑BUVs up to 0.82 ng·kg·d (highest in children). This study highlights the synergistic pollution of MPs and BUVs in PM, driven by fossil fuel combustion and meteorological conditions. The findings underscore the need to regulate plastic production/waste as well as plastic additives in urban air quality management.
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