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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Association between air pollution, altitudes, and overweight/obesity in China
ClearAssessing the impact of marine litter hotspot on atmospheric microplastics: A study of a coastal village
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations near a marine litter hotspot in a coastal village in Taiwan and found an average of 1.35 particles per cubic meter of air, with the highest levels in spring. The study provides evidence that accumulated marine litter on coastlines can serve as a source of atmospheric microplastics, potentially affecting air quality in nearby communities.
Vertical distribution and transport of microplastics in the urban atmosphere: New insights from field observations
Researchers conducted field observations of airborne microplastics at four different heights in Guangzhou, China, from ground level up to 488 meters on the Canton Tower. They found that microplastic concentrations decreased with altitude but were still present at the highest sampling point, suggesting that these particles can travel through the atmosphere over long distances. The study provides the first detailed vertical profile of atmospheric microplastics in an urban setting, offering new insights into how these particles are transported through the air.
Microplastics in the atmospheric of the eastern coast of China: different function areas reflecting various sources and transport
Atmospheric sampling at two sites in a Chinese coastal city found microplastics suspended in the air at both downtown and industrial locations, but with different dominant sources — lifestyle and consumer products in the city center versus industrial activity in the industrial zone. The finding that microplastics are transported through the atmosphere confirms that people in urban areas are inhaling plastic particles regardless of proximity to industrial facilities.
Occurrence of microplastics in the seawater and atmosphere of the South China Sea: Pollution patterns and interrelationship
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in both seawater and the atmosphere of the South China Sea, revealing distribution patterns and an interrelationship between marine and airborne microplastic contamination in the region.
Abundance of microplastics and nanoplastics in urban atmosphere
Scientists measured microplastics and nanoplastics in the air of two major Chinese cities and found concentrations reaching hundreds of thousands of particles per cubic meter. Road dust being kicked up by traffic and rainfall washing particles out of the sky were the two biggest drivers of atmospheric plastic pollution. These findings suggest that city residents are inhaling significant amounts of plastic particles every day, with potential implications for respiratory and overall health.
Characterization of atmospheric microplastics: A case study in Shenzhen City, a southern coastal area of China
Researchers characterized airborne microplastics at ten locations across Shenzhen, a major coastal city in southern China. They found an average abundance of 2.22 particles per cubic meter, with higher concentrations in areas of intense human activity and at lower altitudes. The study identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester fibers as the most common types, and found that temperature and humidity influence airborne microplastic levels.
Mitigating airborne microplastics pollution from perspectives of precipitation and underlying surface types
Researchers collected airborne microplastics under and away from a Ficus tree in Chengdu, China, finding that tree canopy cover and meteorological conditions such as precipitation significantly reduce airborne microplastic concentrations, suggesting vegetation as a natural mitigation measure.
Atmospheric deposition of microplastics at a western China metropolis: Relationship with underlying surface types and human exposure
Researchers measured microplastic fallout from the atmosphere in Chengdu, China, and found that the type of ground surface below -- urban, green space, or mixed -- influenced how much airborne microplastic accumulated. Using a probability model, they estimated that people are exposed to significant amounts of airborne microplastics during outdoor activities, adding to the growing evidence that we inhale these particles daily.
Exploring Asymmetric Nexus Between CO2 Emissions, Environmental Pollution, and Household Health Expenditure in China
A Chinese provincial dataset analysis found statistically significant asymmetric relationships between CO₂ emissions and environmental pollution with household health expenditure, confirming that greater pollution imposes higher healthcare costs on residents.
Airborne microplastics in urban, rural and wildland environments on the Tibetan Plateau
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations across urban, rural, and remote wildland sites on the Tibetan Plateau and found microplastics present at all locations, even in pristine high-altitude environments. Urban areas had the highest concentrations, but the presence of microplastics in remote wilderness areas demonstrates long-range atmospheric transport. The study provides some of the first data on airborne microplastic pollution in one of the world's most isolated high-mountain regions.
Human Exposure to Ambient Atmospheric Microplastics in a Megacity: Spatiotemporal Variation and Associated Microorganism-Related Health Risk
A year-long study in a major Chinese city estimated that children and adults are exposed to roughly 74,000 and 106,000 airborne microplastic particles per year, respectively, through breathing, swallowing dust, and skin contact. The researchers also found a concerning link between microplastic characteristics and the disease-causing potential of airborne bacteria, suggesting that microplastics in the air may carry health risks beyond the particles themselves.
Impact of Microplastics in the Environment on Human Health and Its Policy Analysis: A Case Study on China
Researchers examined the health impacts of microplastics in China from a health economics and public policy perspective, finding that plastic waste is associated with increased demand for respiratory medicines, likely due to airborne MP release. The paper reviews China's microplastic policy landscape and proposes four improvement areas including targeted monitoring and clearer departmental responsibilities.
Microplastics in Precipitation: Analyzing Altitudinal Influence on Atmospheric Deposition Patterns
Researchers found an inverse relationship between altitude and microplastic deposition in Central Himalayan precipitation, collecting rainfall and snowfall across eight sites from 445 m to 3,378 m elevation and characterizing microplastics by concentration, size distribution, and polymer composition.
Geospatial environmental sources of inhaled microplastics: A case in Zhuhai, China
Researchers analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 454 participants who underwent bronchoscopy in Zhuhai, China, to identify environmental sources of inhaled microplastics. They found that proximity to roads, coastlines, and industrial parks was associated with higher microplastic levels in lung fluid. The study provides some of the first direct evidence linking specific geospatial environmental sources to the microplastics found in human lungs.
Comparative study on physicochemical characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in winter in inland and coastal megacities: A case of Beijing and Shanghai, China
Researchers compared airborne microplastic pollution during winter in Beijing, an inland city, and Shanghai, a coastal city in China. They found notable differences in the shapes, sizes, and polymer types of microplastics between the two cities, reflecting their distinct urban and industrial environments. The study provides evidence that local geography and economic activity significantly influence the characteristics of atmospheric microplastic contamination.
Assessment of Microplastic Pollution and Risks in the Region of “Wuchangshi,” China
Atmospheric and soil microplastics were measured across five cities in China's Xinjiang region, finding that airborne microplastic concentrations exceeded soil surface concentrations by up to three times, with fibers and polyethylene/polypropylene dominating. The study highlights that even inland, arid regions far from industrial centers accumulate significant microplastic pollution, expanding the known geographic reach of the contamination.
Progressing Towards Environmental Health Targets in China: A Systematic Review of Achievements in Air and Water Pollution under the “Ecological Civilization and the Beautiful China” Dream
This systematic review summarizes China's progress in reducing air and water pollution under its environmental health initiatives. The findings are relevant to microplastic concerns because China is a major producer and consumer of plastics, and the review highlights how industrial pollution, including plastic waste, creates widespread environmental contamination with direct consequences for public health.
Microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau lakes, China
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in lakes across two major Chinese plateaus and found contamination even in these remote, high-altitude environments. Lakes near more human activity (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau) had significantly higher microplastic levels than the more remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with sewage, agriculture, and fishing being the main sources. The study shows that microplastic pollution reaches even supposedly pristine environments, largely through human activity and atmospheric transport.
Abundances, Characteristics, and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Microplastics in the Urban Area: A Case Study of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Scientists found tiny plastic particles floating in the air of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with higher amounts during certain weather seasons. These microplastics are small enough to get deep into our lungs when we breathe, and adults face higher health risks than children because they breathe in more air. This research shows that people living in busy cities may be regularly breathing in plastic pollution, but more studies are needed to understand the long-term health effects.
Residential environment in relation to self-report of respiratory and asthma symptoms among primary school children in a high-polluted urban area
Researchers surveyed 658 Bangkok schoolchildren and found that living near garment shops, having pests at home, and having damp walls were each independently linked to higher rates of asthma and respiratory symptoms, underscoring how indoor and neighborhood environments directly affect children's lung health.
Spatial and seasonal variations of atmospheric microplastics in high and low population density areas at the intersection of tropical and subtropical regions
Researchers monitored airborne microplastics over one year in both high and low population areas in Taiwan, finding microplastics present year-round in both locations. Urban areas had higher concentrations, and seasonal weather patterns affected how many microplastics were in the air. The study confirms that people are constantly breathing in microplastics regardless of where they live, though those in more populated areas face higher exposure.
The Invisible Threat: Investigating the Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health and the Environment
Not relevant to microplastics — this study investigates how air pollution (particulate matter PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide) affects human health in Depok, Indonesia, finding links to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Characterization of airborne microplastics and health risks in high-temperature urban streets: A case study of Nanjing city
Researchers measured airborne microplastics on high-temperature streets in Nanjing, China, and found that hotter ground temperatures significantly increased the release of traffic-related microplastics. Tire wear and road markings were identified as major sources, and health risk modeling showed that daily inhalation exposure could reach concerning levels for both adults and children. The study highlights that people living in hot urban areas with heavy traffic may face higher microplastic exposure through breathing.
Assessment of suspended atmospheric microplastics in Tianjin Binhai New Area: characterization, human health risks, and correlation with weather conditions and Air Quality Index
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in an urban area of Tianjin, China, and found them in every sample collected during autumn and winter. The particles were mostly fibers, with polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene among the most common types, and concentrations varied with weather conditions like humidity and barometric pressure. A health risk assessment suggested that residents face measurable exposure to airborne microplastics, raising concerns about long-term inhalation risks.