Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the street dust of Delhi: a study on seasonal variations

Researchers collected street dust from four areas of Delhi (industrial, commercial, institutional, landfill) in post-monsoon and summer seasons and quantified microplastics. Concentrations were significantly higher in summer and in commercial/landfill areas, with some sites reaching 116 MPs per 100 g—among the highest reported for urban street dust.

2025 Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Article Tier 2

Prevalence and characteristics of microplastics present in the street dust collected from Chennai metropolitan city, India

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in street dust from 16 locations across Chennai, India, in the first study of its kind from the country. They found an average of about 228 microplastic particles per hundred grams of street dust, with fibers being overwhelmingly the most common type at over 92 percent. The study identifies urban street dust as a significant reservoir and transport medium for microplastic pollution in densely populated cities.

2020 Chemosphere 161 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in the street dust of Delhi: A study on seasonal variations

Researchers conducted the first comprehensive study of microplastic pollution in street dust across Delhi, India, examining seasonal variations. The study found significant microplastic contamination in urban street dust, with concentrations varying by season, highlighting the extent of atmospheric microplastic pollution in one of the world's most polluted cities.

2025 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Evidences of microplastics in aerosols and street dust: a case study of Varanasi City, India

Researchers documented microplastic contamination in both aerosols and street dust across Varanasi, India, finding fragments dominant in street dust and fibers dominant in airborne particles. The study identified common polymer types including polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene, and found that microplastics carried toxic metallic elements like aluminum, cadmium, and magnesium on their surfaces.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Evidences of Microplastic in Air and Street Dust: A Case Study of Varanasi City, India

Researchers measured microplastics in air and street dust samples from multiple sites in Varanasi, India, finding plastic particles in all samples including suspended and settled dust. The study adds to evidence that urban air and dust are important but underappreciated sources of human microplastic exposure.

2022 Research Square (Research Square) 5 citations
Article Tier 2

[Characteristics of Microplastic Present in Urban Road Dust].

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in urban road dust from Ma'anshan City, China, finding abundances of 223 particles/kg with polypropylene (58.9%) and polyethylene (30.1%) dominant, and commercial areas showing the highest contamination levels.

2022 PubMed 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments of a developing country in South Asia: abundance, distribution, morphology, and possible sources

Researchers quantified airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments in a South Asian developing country, characterizing particle abundance, size distribution, morphology, and potential sources, finding significant microplastic air pollution in a lower-middle-income country context.

2022 Figshare 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Microplastics and Heavy Metal Contamination in Urban Road Dust: A Case Study from Begusarai, Bihar

Road dust samples from 33 sites across five land-use zones in Begusarai, Bihar, India contained microplastics at all locations alongside elevated heavy metals, with industrial and commercial zones showing the highest combined contamination and estimated human health risks.

2025
Article Tier 2

Urban atmospheric microplastic distribution and potential health impact in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

This study assessed atmospheric microplastic pollution in Dhaka City's urban dust across ten major locations, finding widespread contamination dominated by fibers and fragments. Microplastic abundance was highest in areas with dense traffic and industrial activity, suggesting vehicle and garment sources as major contributors in this megacity.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Plastics
Article Tier 2

Identification, classification and quantification of microplastics in road dust and stormwater

Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in road dust and stormwater, finding significantly higher concentrations in industrial areas compared to residential zones, with tire wear particles and polyethylene fragments being the most common types.

2022 Chemosphere 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the atmosphere of Ahvaz City, Iran

Researchers characterized airborne microplastics in Ahvaz, Iran, finding that all detected particles were fibrous, predominantly polyester and nylon, with higher concentrations in urban areas compared to residential locations.

2022 Journal of Environmental Sciences 95 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in deposited urban dust, Tehran metropolis, Iran

Researchers analyzed street dust samples from Tehran and found significant microplastic contamination, with hundreds of particles per sample ranging from tiny fragments to fibers. They estimated that children and adults inadvertently ingest thousands of microplastic particles per year through contact with contaminated street dust. The study identifies urban dust as a potentially important but overlooked source of human microplastic exposure.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 576 citations
Article Tier 2

First comprehensive assessment of microplastics in urban street dust of Eastern Saudi Arabia: abundance, traits, and health risks

Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination in street dust from two major cities in eastern Saudi Arabia. Microplastics were found in all 58 sampling sites, with polyethylene, PET, and polypropylene being the most abundant polymers, alongside concerning levels of high-toxicity polymers like PVC and polystyrene. The study found that children face substantially higher estimated daily microplastic intake than adults, particularly in residential and recreational areas.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials