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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Atmospheric microplastics in PM2.5 from 2010 to 2024 in Beijing: Type-specific trends and driving factors
ClearMicroplastic atmospheric dustfall pollution in urban environment: Evidence from the types, distribution, and probable sources in Beijing, China
Researchers collected atmospheric dustfall samples across urban Beijing and analyzed the types, distribution, and likely sources of airborne microplastics. They found that synthetic fibers from textiles and fragments from various plastic products were the dominant forms, with concentrations varying by location and proximity to pollution sources. The study provides evidence that urban atmospheric microplastic pollution is widespread and likely linked to daily human activities and industrial processes.
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.
Micro/nanoplastics in the Shenyang city atmosphere: Distribution and sources
Researchers measured micro- and nanoplastics in airborne particulate matter in Shenyang, China, and found plastic particles in every sample tested, with concentrations averaging 7.62 micrograms per cubic meter and making up about 12% of fine particulate matter. Since these tiny airborne plastics can be inhaled deep into the lungs, they represent a direct route of human exposure that may contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
[Distribution, Respiratory Exposure, and Traceability of Atmospheric Microplastics in Yichang City].
Researchers sampled airborne microplastics at 16 locations across Yichang City, China, and found them in every area, with the highest concentrations settling over urban residential neighborhoods. The particles were mostly polyester fibers and came predominantly from nearby sources rather than long-range transport. Daily inhalation estimates were calculated for both adults and children, highlighting indoor and outdoor respiratory exposure as a meaningful human health concern that warrants tighter monitoring.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition in a valley city over a five-year period: sources, ecological risks, spatiotemporal distributions and influencing factors
A five-year (2019–2023) monitoring study in a valley city found rising atmospheric microplastic deposition, with summer peaks over four times higher than winter lows, strongly influenced by precipitation, wind, temperature, and urban activity levels. Long-term data showing increasing airborne microplastic trends have direct implications for inhalation exposure in urban populations.
Fine micro- and nanoplastics particles (PM2.5) in urban air and their relation to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Researchers measured ultrafine micro- and nanoplastics in urban air at the individual polymer level for the first time, finding correlations between airborne plastic particle concentrations and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, suggesting plastics act as carriers for toxic compounds.
A comprehensive review of micro- and nano-plastics in the atmosphere: Occurrence, fate, toxicity, and strategies for risk reduction.
This review examines a decade of research on micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the atmosphere, covering their occurrence in outdoor and indoor air, toxicological effects on human health, and strategies to reduce exposure risk from inhalation of airborne plastic particles.
Insight into the size-resolved markers and eco-health significance of microplastics from typical sources in northwest China
Researchers characterized airborne microplastics and plasticizers emitted from five common sources in northwest China—plastic burning, fruit bag burning, road traffic, agricultural film, and livestock breeding—finding source-specific polymer and chemical profiles in PM2.5 and PM10 fractions.
Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles
Researchers quantified microplastics and polymer additives in airborne samples to assess inhalation exposure, finding synthetic particles across multiple size fractions in outdoor air. The study highlights airborne microplastics as a significant and often underestimated route of human plastic exposure.
Size Distribution of Micro-/Nanoplastic Particles and Their Chemical Speciation in the Atmosphere of Shanghai, China
Scientists measured airborne micro- and nanoplastics in Shanghai's winter atmosphere and found that nearly 60% of the plastic mass consisted of very fine particles under 3.2 micrometers, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. Polyethylene (the most common plastic) made up 40% of airborne plastics, and modeling showed that nanoscale particles accumulate more in the deep lung than in the upper airways, raising concerns about long-term respiratory health effects.
Wet Deposition of Globally Transportable Microplastics (<25 μm) Hovering over the Megacity of Beijing
Researchers detected microplastics in all 10 rainfall events sampled in Beijing, with concentrations up to 136,778 particles per cubic meter of rainwater. Nearly 40% of the particles were smaller than 25 micrometers, a size small enough to travel long distances through the atmosphere and be inhaled deep into the lungs. This study shows that rain washes airborne microplastics out of the sky and onto cities, contributing to human exposure through both air and water.
The dawn of a new air pollutant: inhalable microplastics as emerging vectors of hazardous contaminants and their implications for human health
Researchers measured tiny inhalable microplastics in the air across four major Indian cities and found concentrations high enough that an average person could accumulate nearly 3 grams in their lungs over a lifetime. Polyester fibers from textiles were the most common type detected, and the particles were also found to carry harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and even pathogenic microorganisms. The study highlights airborne microplastics as an emerging air pollutant with potential health implications.
Microplastics in the urban atmosphere: Sources, occurrences, distribution, and potential health implications
This review summarizes research on airborne microplastics in cities, finding that indoor sources like textiles and outdoor sources like traffic-related plastic particles are major contributors. Microplastic concentrations in urban air can be significant, especially in densely populated areas, and people can inhale these particles daily. The health implications of breathing in microplastics are still being studied, but early evidence suggests they may cause lung inflammation and other respiratory problems.
Airborne Microplastic Concentrations in Five Megacities of Northern and Southeast China
Researchers used uniform sampling methods to measure airborne microplastic concentrations across five major cities in northern and southeastern China. They found that indoor environments generally had higher microplastic levels than outdoor air, with fibers being the most common particle type. The study provides some of the first directly comparable data on airborne microplastic exposure across multiple cities, suggesting that people in densely populated areas face meaningful inhalation risks.
Characteristics of microplastics in the atmosphere of Anyang City
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in Anyang City, China, and found that concentrations increased significantly as air quality worsened, reaching an average of 0.42 particles per cubic meter during heavily polluted days. About 80% of the particles were black fiber strips, mainly made of cellophane, PET, and EVA. The study estimates that on high-pollution days, adults breathe in an average of 222 microplastic particles daily, highlighting the respiratory health risk from airborne microplastics in polluted cities.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition associated with GDP and population growth: Insights from megacities in northern China
Researchers measured airborne microplastic pollution across 17 large cities in northern China and found that economic activity, especially GDP growth, was the strongest predictor of how much microplastic fell from the sky. The most common plastic types were polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane, and polyethylene, with most particles smaller than 78 micrometers. This matters for human health because these tiny airborne plastics can be inhaled, and their levels appear to rise as cities grow economically.
New insights into the long-term dynamics and deposition-suspension distribution of atmospheric microplastics in an urban area
Researchers tracked airborne microplastics in a city over a full year and found an average of 302 particles per square meter per day falling from the sky, with people potentially inhaling up to 12,777 particles per year. The microplastics came from sources up to 1,750 kilometers away, including traffic, industry, and textiles. This study highlights that breathing is a significant route of microplastic exposure for humans, even for people living far from obvious pollution sources.
Impacts of Pandemic‐Associated Plastic Waste on Microplastics in Ambient PM2.5
Researchers measured microplastics in atmospheric PM2.5 samples collected from urban Xi'an before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that MP concentrations tripled during and after the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels, with transparent and white polypropylene and PET fibers dominant—consistent with increased single-use plastic disposal.
Accurate quantification and transport estimation of suspended atmospheric microplastics in megacities: Implications for human health
Researchers developed an improved sampling methodology for accurately quantifying suspended atmospheric microplastics in megacities. They found a significant relationship between sampling volume and particle counts, and identified that PET fibers and fragments dominated airborne microplastics, with plastic microbeads also detected in air for the first time. Using atmospheric modeling, the study estimated that megacities can transport substantial quantities of airborne microplastics to surrounding regions, with implications for human inhalation exposure.
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.
First quantification and chemical characterization of atmospheric microplastics observed in Seoul, South Korea
Researchers conducted the first measurement of airborne microplastics across five outdoor sites in Seoul, South Korea, finding plastic particles everywhere from business districts to urban forests. Microplastic levels were higher in areas with more human activity and during weekdays versus weekends. Polypropylene and PET were the most common types, suggesting that everyday plastic products are a major source of airborne microplastic pollution in cities.
An emerging class of air pollutants: Potential effects of microplastics to respiratory human health?
This review explores the emerging concern that airborne microplastics can be inhaled by humans, potentially causing adverse effects on the respiratory system. Researchers compiled available data on the concentration, size, shape, and chemical composition of microplastic particles found in urban air. The findings suggest that airborne plastic debris represents a largely understudied class of air pollutant with potential implications for human health.
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.
Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles
This study quantified microplastics and plastic polymer additives in airborne particulate matter collected from indoor and outdoor environments, characterizing the contribution of plastic particles to inhalation exposure. Microplastics and associated additives were detected in breathable air, supporting inhalation as a significant route of human plastic exposure.