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Personal exposure to microplastics and PAHs in PM2.5: Personal vs. outdoor assessment and health risks
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Researchers measured personal exposure to airborne microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fine particulate matter in Shanghai, China. They found that personal microplastic exposure levels were more than three times higher than outdoor levels, suggesting that indoor environments are a significant source. The study highlights that people may be inhaling more microplastics than previously estimated, particularly from indoor sources like textiles and household items.
Microplastics (MPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pervasive emerging pollutants in the environment, raising growing concerns about their adverse health effects. However, research on characterizing MPs in fine particulate matter (PM) remains scarce due to methodological challenges. This study quantified human exposure to MPs and PAHs in PM in Shanghai, a megacity in China, using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and GC/MS, respectively. The average concentration of personal exposure MPs reached 2.27 ± 2.31 μg m, which appeared to be higher than outdoor levels (0.69 ± 0.58 μg m). Polyethylene (PE) was the dominant polymer in both environments, with personal exposure samples exhibiting higher proportions of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS). Relative humidity had a significant impact on outdoor MP concentrations, whereas personal exposure MP levels were primarily affected by indoor sources and ventilation conditions. In contrast, the average concentration of outdoor PAHs (45.76 ± 35.02 ng m) was 50 % higher than the personal one (30.67 ± 8.67 ng m). A significant positive correlation between polypropylene (PP) and low-molecular-weight PAHs suggests potential adsorption or common sources. Estimated daily intake (EDI) assessment revealed higher exposure levels to MPs than PAHs, underscoring the urgent need for an in-depth understanding of inhalable MPs/NPs and their additives.
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Microplastics comparison of indoor and outdoor air and ventilation rate effect in outskirts of the Seoul metropolitan city
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Researchers measured airborne microplastics both indoors and outdoors in buildings near Seoul, finding that indoor concentrations were 1.8 times higher than outdoor levels. Polyester fibers from clothing and furnishings were the most common type, and lower ventilation rates led to higher indoor microplastic levels, meaning the air people breathe at home and work may be a significant source of microplastic exposure.
Airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments of a coastal city in Eastern China
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Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels in both indoor and outdoor environments in a Chinese coastal city and found that indoor air contained about eight times more microplastics than outdoor air. Fragments smaller than 100 micrometers were the most common type, and urban areas had higher levels than rural areas. The study estimates that a person's annual exposure to airborne microplastics could reach over one million particles, with most exposure occurring indoors where people spend the majority of their time.
Source and potential risk assessment of suspended atmospheric microplastics in Shanghai
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Suspended atmospheric microplastics were actively sampled in Shanghai air during May 2018, finding concentrations of 0–4.18 particles/m³ with fibers comprising 67% of detected MPs, and identifying textile sources and traffic-related emissions as likely contributors. The study provides refined concentration estimates compared to passive sampling methods and shows that airborne microplastics are measurable across urban Shanghai.
Individual Exposure to Microplastics through the Inhalation Route: Comparison of Microplastics in Inhaled Indoor Aerosol and Exhaled Breath Air
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In a study of 30 volunteers in Shanghai, researchers measured microplastics in both the indoor air people breathed in and the air they exhaled. They found an average of 43 microplastic particles per cubic meter in inhaled air but only 12 in exhaled breath, suggesting that a significant portion of inhaled microplastics are retained in the respiratory system. This is one of the first studies to directly quantify how much airborne microplastic people actually absorb through breathing.
Assessing the concentration, distribution and characteristics of suspended microplastics in the Malaysian indoor environment
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Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels inside offices, classrooms, apartments, and homes across Malaysia over six weeks. Microplastics were found in every indoor environment tested, with fibers being the most common type, and people in homes were estimated to inhale more microplastics daily than those in offices or classrooms. The findings highlight that indoor air is a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure for people.
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