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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Atmospheric Microplastic Particulate Matter in an Urban Roadside: Case of Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia
ClearAtmospheric Microplastic Particulate in Urban Roadside: Case of Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia, finding fibrous particles — mostly PET — present at all sampling locations including residential areas and city centers, not just industrial zones. The detection of microplastics in the ambient air at meaningful concentrations adds to the growing body of evidence that people in urban environments are continuously inhaling microplastic fibers, regardless of proximity to obvious industrial sources.
Microplastic Pollution in the Ambient Air of Surabaya, Indonesia
Airborne microplastics were measured at three roadside sites in Surabaya, Indonesia, finding fibers as the dominant shape and highest concentrations at high-traffic sites, with FTIR identifying a range of polymer types. The study provides the first microplastic pollution data for Indonesian urban air and demonstrates a traffic-density relationship with atmospheric microplastic levels.
Identification of fibrous suspended atmospheric microplastics in Bandung Metropolitan Area, Indonesia
Researchers identified fibrous atmospheric microplastics in total suspended particulates across commercial and residential areas of the Bandung Metropolitan Area, Indonesia, finding that urban commercial zones contained higher concentrations of airborne microplastic fibers than suburban residential areas.
Occurrence and characteristic of microplastics in suspended particulate, a case study in street of Yogyakarta
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in road dust and suspended particles in the streets of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They found that microplastics were present across sampling sites, with vehicle tires and road marking paint identified as primary sources. The study highlights urban transportation as a significant contributor to airborne microplastic pollution.
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.
Microplastic Distribution Model in Ambient Air PM2.5 Around the Medan Industrial Area, North Sumatra
Researchers investigated the distribution of microplastics in fine particulate matter around an industrial area in Medan, North Sumatra, finding between 41 and 92 particles per sample. The dominant form was fragments, making up 62% of detected microplastics, and their distribution was influenced by wind direction and nearby pollution sources. The study suggests that industrial areas are significant contributors to airborne microplastic contamination in the surrounding environment.
Temporal Distribution of Airborne Microplastics at an Urban Roadside
Researchers conducted a year-long sampling program for airborne microplastics at an urban roadside site in Zhengzhou, China, finding that traffic volume, seasonal variation, and meteorological conditions influenced the temporal distribution and polymer composition of atmospheric microplastics. Micro-Raman spectroscopy identified the dominant polymer types present in traffic-adjacent air.
Breathing plastics in Metro Manila, Philippines: Presence of suspended atmospheric microplastics in ambient air
Researchers detected suspended atmospheric microplastics in ambient air samples from 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines, confirming that urban air in Southeast Asia contains respirable plastic particles and raising concern about inhalation exposure among dense urban populations.
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.
Plastic rain—Atmospheric microplastics deposition in urban and peri-urban areas of Patna City, Bihar, India: Distribution, characteristics, transport, and source analysis
Researchers measured microplastic particles falling from the sky in Patna, India, finding nearly 2,000 particles per square meter per day in urban areas. The plastic "rain" was mostly tiny fibers and fragments made of common plastics like PET and polypropylene. This study shows that breathing outdoor air is another way people are exposed to microplastics, especially in cities.
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.
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.
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.
Airborne microplastics in the roadside and residential areas of Southern Thailand
Researchers assessed airborne microplastic contamination in roadside and residential areas across nine districts in southern Thailand. They found microplastic concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 1.54 particles per cubic meter, with particles smaller than 100 micrometers predominating in all samples. The study identified fragments and black-colored particles as the most common types, with polymer analysis revealing a diverse mix of plastic materials in 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.
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.
Simultaneous Measurement and Compositional Analysis of Atmospheric Microplastics in Taiwan Utilizing Optical and Chemical Methods
Researchers measured airborne microplastics across three sites in Taiwan — rural, near a waste incinerator, and in a traffic-heavy area — finding the highest concentrations at the traffic site, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant plastic types. Estimated daily human exposure through breathing and accidental ingestion ranged in the tens of particles per kilogram of body weight, underscoring that air is a significant but often overlooked route of microplastic exposure.
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.
Microplastics in Hamburg's city air
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the urban air of Hamburg, Germany, characterizing particle types and sizes from atmospheric samples to assess inhalation exposure in a major European city. Microplastics were detected throughout Hamburg's city air, reflecting multiple urban emission sources and confirming inhalation as a relevant exposure route for city residents.
Impact of Airborne Microplastics on Induced Sputum of Urban Dwellers: the Role of Environmental and Occupational Factors
Researchers analyzed induced sputum samples from 25 patients with respiratory diseases and found microplastics present in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 6 to 500 particles per 100 mL. Active smokers and workers in occupations with high plastic exposure had significantly higher microplastic concentrations. The study suggests that airborne microplastic inhalation is widespread among urban residents and may be influenced by both lifestyle and occupational factors.
Distribution and potential health impacts of microplastics and microrubbers in air and street dusts from Asaluyeh County, Iran
Researchers collected street dust and air samples from an industrial area in Iran and found significant quantities of microplastics and microrubber particles that could be inhaled or ingested by residents. The particles varied widely in size, color, and polymer type, with concentrations highest near industrial and urban zones. The study provides some of the first evidence that airborne microplastics in terrestrial environments represent a meaningful human exposure pathway.
Exploration of microplastic concentration in indoor and outdoor air samples: Morphological, polymeric, and elemental analysis
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments in Islamabad, Pakistan, finding that indoor air contained nearly five times more microplastics than outdoor air. Classrooms had the highest contamination at about 6 particles per cubic meter, with fibers being the most common shape and polyester (PET) the most common plastic type. These findings highlight that people are continuously inhaling microplastics, especially indoors.
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.
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.