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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Airborne microplastics distribution in indoor and outdoor environments of a rapidly growing city in South India
ClearAirborne 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.
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.
Characterization of microplastics in outdoor and indoor air in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India: First insights from the region
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in both outdoor and indoor air in Ranchi, India, finding plastic particles in all samples with higher concentrations during winter months. Indoor air contained different plastic types than outdoor air, with polyvinyl chloride dominant indoors while polyethylene and polypropylene were more common outside. The study confirms that people are breathing in microplastics throughout the day, whether at home or outside.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Study of suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess human exposure through inhalation
Researchers investigated suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess the extent of human exposure through inhalation. The study quantified airborne microplastic particles in indoor settings, providing data on a potentially important but understudied route of daily microplastic intake for the general population.
A systematic review of airborne microplastics emissions as emerging contaminants in outdoor and indoor air environments
This systematic review compared microplastic levels in indoor and outdoor air around the world. Indoor air often contains more microplastics than outdoor air — largely from synthetic clothing and household items — meaning our homes and workplaces may be significant sources of daily microplastic exposure.
Systematic review of microplastics and nanoplastics in indoor and outdoor air: identifying a framework and data needs for quantifying human inhalation exposures
This systematic review is the first to examine microplastic levels in both indoor and outdoor air and estimate how much people inhale. The findings suggest we are breathing in microplastic particles daily, with indoor air often containing higher concentrations due to synthetic textiles and household materials.
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.
An Occupant-Based Overview of Microplastics in Indoor Environments in the City of Surabaya, Indonesia
Airborne microplastic deposition in settled indoor dust was measured in residential and commercial buildings in a city environment, providing an occupant-based assessment of indoor microplastic exposure. Microplastics smaller than 5 mm were deposited at measurable rates in all sampled indoor settings, with fiber shapes dominating the settled dust contamination.
Airborne microplastic particle concentrations and characterization in indoor urban microenvironments
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations across indoor environments including homes, workplaces, and public transit in an urban setting. Buses had the highest concentrations at over 17 particles per cubic meter, while homes and workplaces had lower but still significant levels. Most particles were polyamide and polyester fibers smaller than 100 micrometers, small enough to be inhaled, highlighting indoor air as an important but understudied route of microplastic exposure.
Airborne Microplastics in Indoor and Outdoor Environments at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus
Researchers collected airborne microplastic samples from indoor and outdoor environments at a Malaysian university campus, finding microplastics present in all locations with higher concentrations indoors and fiber morphologies predominating, suggesting occupants are continually exposed via inhalation.
Airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments of a coastal city in Eastern China
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.
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.
Morphological and Chemical Analysis of Indoor Airborne Microplastics: Implications for Human Health in Ahvaz, Iran
Researchers collected indoor airborne microplastics and performed detailed morphological and chemical characterization, assessing the particle types, polymer identities, and surface properties of what people inhale in enclosed spaces. The study found a diverse mixture of synthetic fiber fragments and plastic particles in indoor air.
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.
Study of suspended microplastics in indoor air to assess human exposure through inhalation
Researchers studied suspended microplastics in indoor air to evaluate human exposure through inhalation. The study measured airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor environments, contributing to the growing body of evidence that inhalation represents a significant and underappreciated route of human microplastic exposure.
Quantification and characterization of airborne microplastics and their possible hazards: a case study from an urban sprawl in eastern India
Researchers measured airborne microplastic deposition in Malda City, India, and found daily deposition rates of 122 to 387 particles per square meter. The most common types were polyethylene, PVC, and PET fragments and films, mostly very small (50 to 100 micrometers). The study found that human activity and commercial areas were the main drivers of microplastic distribution, and that these airborne particles pose ecological risks when they settle into soil and water.
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.
Microplastics Differ Between Indoor and Outdoor Air Masses: Insights from Multiple Microscopy Methodologies
Researchers compared airborne microplastic concentrations inside and outside buildings in coastal California using multiple microscopy techniques. The study found that microplastic composition and abundance differed between indoor and outdoor air masses, with indoor environments containing distinct microplastic profiles, suggesting that people are exposed to different types of airborne microplastics depending on whether they are indoors or outdoors.
Atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic microfibers in different indoor environments of Chennai, India
Researchers measured atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic microfibers—including both synthetic and natural fiber types—in indoor residential and institutional environments in Chennai, India. Indoor deposition rates were high and dominated by cotton and synthetic fiber types, with occupant behavior and air circulation patterns driving variability, indicating that indoor air is a significant but underestimated exposure route.