Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Determination of atmospheric microplastic levels in a textile industry intensive region

This study measured atmospheric microplastic levels in a region with intensive textile manufacturing, finding elevated concentrations linked to industrial fiber emissions. The results underscore the textile sector as a significant local source of airborne microplastic pollution.

2024
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Airborne Microplastic Particles Collected from the Textile Workplaces Environment

Researchers characterized airborne microplastic particles collected from textile workplace environments, documenting the size, morphology, polymer types, and concentrations of synthetic fiber fragments that textile workers inhale during production, highlighting occupational exposure risks.

2025 International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM ...
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in indoor dust at Dhaka city: unveiling the unseen contaminants within our homes

Researchers analyzed indoor dust from homes, offices, and other indoor spaces in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and found microplastics present in every sample. Fibers were the most common form, likely originating from synthetic textiles, and concentrations varied by room type and ventilation. The study reveals that indoor environments are a significant but often overlooked source of human microplastic exposure.

2024 Frontiers in Environmental Science 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics comparison of indoor and outdoor air and ventilation rate effect in outskirts of the Seoul metropolitan city

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.

2024 Emerging contaminants 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative Analysis of Airborne Particle Concentrations in Textile Industry Environments Throughout the Workday

Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations in a textile factory that processes polyester yarns and found significant levels of plastic particles in the air throughout the workday. Workers in these environments are exposed to microplastic fibers through inhalation, which has been linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular problems. The study highlights that people working in the textile industry face elevated microplastic exposure, reinforcing concerns about occupational health risks from airborne plastic particles.

2025 Microplastics 5 citations
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

Microplastics in the Atmospheric Deposited Dust Collected from Different Traffic Intersections in Dhaka City

Air samples collected at 15 major traffic intersections in Dhaka, Bangladesh, contained microplastics at deposition rates of up to 5.78 million particles per square meter per day, among the highest atmospheric microplastic levels reported in urban areas globally. The particles were predominantly polyethylene and nylon fibers, consistent with traffic and textile sources. This first-of-its-kind data for Dhaka highlights that residents of densely trafficked cities are inhaling substantial quantities of microplastics daily, with unknown health consequences.

2024 Dhaka University Journal of Science 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the hidden pollutants in the indoor environment: Focus on microplastic pollution and its related risks in the educational institutions of megacity, Bangladesh

Researchers measured microplastic pollution in classroom dust at educational institutions in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding significant levels of contamination in indoor environments where children spend much of their day. The most common particles were fibers from synthetic textiles, and the concentrations varied based on room type and ventilation. Since children breathe closer to the ground and have developing lungs, this indoor microplastic exposure is a health concern that deserves attention.

2025 Environmental Pollution 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Human inhalation exposure assessment of the airborne microplastics from indoor deposited dusts during winter in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Researchers analyzed indoor dust from 15 homes in Dhaka, Bangladesh and found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations suggesting that people inhale thousands of microplastic particles daily during winter when ventilation is reduced. The most common types were polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester from household items, and estimated daily inhalation exposure was highest for children relative to their body weight.

2024 Heliyon 20 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 measured airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments across Sri Lanka, one of the first studies of its kind in a lower-middle-income country. They found that indoor microplastic concentrations were significantly higher than outdoor levels, with fibers being the most common particle type. The study estimates that people in these environments inhale thousands of microplastic particles daily, raising concerns about respiratory health impacts.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 107 citations
Article Tier 2

Occupational Risks of Microplastics in Textile Manufacturing: Health Impacts and Mitigation Strategies

This review examined occupational exposure to microplastics among workers in the textile manufacturing sector, where synthetic fibers are released during production, drying, and sewing processes. Researchers found that textile workers face elevated risks of inhaling polyester and polypropylene microfibers that can affect respiratory health. The study calls for improved workplace ventilation, protective equipment, and regulatory standards to reduce microplastic exposure in this industry.

2025 Advances in Research 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric microplastic fallout in outdoor and indoor environments in São Paulo megacity

Researchers measured microplastic fallout in both outdoor and indoor environments across the megacity of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and found that indoor environments had significantly higher microplastic deposition rates than outdoor locations. Fibers from synthetic textiles were the most common type of airborne microplastic detected. The study highlights that people living in densely populated cities may face substantial microplastic exposure simply from the air they breathe indoors.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric microplastics deposition in a central Indian city: Distribution, characteristics and seasonal variations

Researchers measured airborne microplastic fallout in the Indian city of Nagpur and found 213 to 543 particles per square meter per day raining down from the sky, mostly tiny fibers from textiles. Children's estimated inhalation exposure was nearly double that of adults relative to body weight, raising particular health concerns about microplastic exposure through the air we breathe.

2025 Environmental Pollution 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Collection and Characterization of Synthetic Airborne Particles

Researchers characterized polypropylene micro-nano particles in the air inside and outside textile industry workplaces, finding workers are exposed to plastic particles across multiple size fractions including fine PM2.5 and PM1 ranges that can penetrate deep into the lungs.

2023 Advanced Materials Letters 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Aloft: A comprehensive exploration of sources, transport, variations, interactions and their implications on human health in the atmospheric realm

This review summarizes research on airborne microplastics and finds that indoor environments typically contain far more microplastic particles than outdoor air -- up to 760,000 particles per square meter per day indoors versus a maximum of about 1,159 outdoors. Sources include synthetic clothing, plastic manufacturing, and even ocean spray. Inhaled microplastics can reach deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream, raising concerns about respiratory and cardiovascular health effects.

2024 Earth-Science Reviews 28 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

First overview of microplastics in indoor and outdoor air

This study provided one of the first comprehensive overviews of microplastic contamination in both indoor and outdoor air, establishing that microplastics are airborne and that indoor environments may have higher concentrations than outdoors due to synthetic materials and textiles. The findings raised new concerns about inhalation as a pathway for human microplastic exposure.

2015 HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) 49 citations
Article Tier 2

A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments

This study is the first to investigate synthetic fiber contamination in both indoor and outdoor air, finding that indoor environments contained significantly higher concentrations of fibers than outdoor settings. Researchers identified that most airborne fibers were synthetic materials like polypropylene and polyethylene, with indoor levels ranging from 1 to 60 fibers per cubic meter. The findings suggest that people may be inhaling substantial amounts of microplastic fibers simply by spending time indoors.

2016 Environmental Pollution 1477 citations
Article Tier 2

The terrible air pollution in Dhaka city is getting worse

This study documents the worsening air pollution crisis in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where rapid urbanization and vehicle emissions have pushed particulate matter levels well above safe guidelines. While not directly about microplastics, airborne microplastics are a component of urban particulate pollution, and the respiratory health risks described overlap with those from inhaling microplastic fibers. The authors call for stricter emission standards and cleaner transportation to protect public health.

2024 GSC Advanced Research and Reviews 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic 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.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Study of airborne microplastics emissions in workplaces

Researchers measured airborne microplastic emissions in occupational settings, finding that workplaces can be significant sources of MP exposure through inhalation. The study characterized particle size, composition, and concentration of MPs in workplace air across different industrial environments.

2025 IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome)
Review Tier 2

Atmospheric microplastics: A review of pollution characteristics, human exposure pathways, and emerging health risks

This comprehensive review examines microplastic pollution in indoor and outdoor air, highlighting exposure pathways and emerging health risks. Researchers found that poorly ventilated indoor spaces have the highest concentrations of airborne microplastics, while factors like humidity and ventilation significantly influence pollution levels, raising concerns about chronic inhalation exposure.

2026 Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology
Article Tier 2

Pollution Sources, Distribution, and Health Risks of Microplastic in Road Dust of Industrial, Peri-Urban Areas and Capital City of Bangladesh

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in road dust across industrial, capital city, and peri-urban areas of Bangladesh. They found that industrial areas had the highest levels of microplastics, with polypropylene being the most prevalent polymer type. The study indicates that children are more susceptible to microplastic exposure through ingestion and inhalation, with industrial zones posing the greatest health risk.

2025 Microplastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the concentration, distribution and characteristics of suspended microplastics in the Malaysian indoor environment

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.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 12 citations