Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics as an Emerging Source of Particulate Air Pollution

This review examines the growing body of research on airborne microplastics as a source of particulate air pollution, covering their sources, transport mechanisms, and presence in both indoor and outdoor environments. Researchers highlight that airborne microplastics can travel long distances and have been found in remote locations far from population centers. The study underscores significant gaps in our understanding of how inhaling these tiny plastic particles may affect human health.

2025 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Does microplastic really represent a threat? A review of the atmospheric contamination sources and potential impacts

This review examines airborne microplastics as emerging atmospheric contaminants that people inevitably inhale during normal breathing. Researchers found that fibers from synthetic textiles are the most common form of airborne microplastics, and their small size allows them to remain suspended in air and potentially cause health problems. The study discusses analytical methods used to measure airborne microplastics and calls for more research into their environmental and health impacts.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 128 citations
Article Tier 2

Airborne microplastics: Occurrence, sources, fate, risks and mitigation

This review compiles findings from over 140 studies on airborne microplastics, covering their sources, distribution, and health risks in both indoor and outdoor environments. Researchers found that indoor environments often have higher microplastic concentrations than outdoor air, with textiles and building materials being major sources. The study highlights growing evidence that inhaled microplastics may pose respiratory health risks and calls for standardized measurement methods.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 150 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of Microplastics in the Atmosphere: An Overview on Sources, Analytical Challenges, and Human Health Effects

This review examines microplastic pollution in the atmosphere, covering both indoor and outdoor sources and the challenges of measuring airborne particles. Researchers found that indoor environments, where people spend most of their time, can have particularly high concentrations of microplastics from synthetic textiles and household items. The study highlights that inhaling airborne microplastics is an important but under-studied route of human exposure.

2024 Atmosphere 7 citations
Review Tier 2

A review of atmospheric microplastics pollution: In-depth sighting of sources, analytical methods, physiognomies, transport and risks

This review provides an in-depth analysis of atmospheric microplastic pollution, examining sources, detection methods, physical characteristics, transport mechanisms, and health risks. Researchers found that indoor environments tend to contain higher concentrations of airborne microplastics than outdoor settings, and that current detection methods are limited in their ability to capture the smallest particles. The study emphasizes the need for standardized sampling procedures and more research into the health effects of inhaling microplastic particles.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 118 citations
Article Tier 2

The Peril of Plastics: Atmospheric Microplastics in Outdoor, Indoor, and Remote Environments

This review surveys the current state of knowledge about microplastics suspended in the atmosphere, covering outdoor, indoor, and remote environments. Researchers found that airborne microplastics are far more widespread than previously recognized, with fibers from textiles and vehicle tire wear being major sources. The study highlights that atmospheric transport can carry microplastics to even the most remote locations on Earth, and that inhaling these particles poses potential health concerns.

2024 Sustainable Chemistry 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Status and prospects of atmospheric microplastics: A review of methods, occurrence, composition, source and health risks

This review summarized the sampling methods, occurrence, composition, sources, and health risks of atmospheric microplastics. Researchers found that airborne microplastics are detected both indoors and outdoors, with fibers being the most common shape, and that inhalation represents an important but understudied exposure pathway. The study suggests that atmospheric transport plays a significant role in the global distribution of microplastic pollution.

2022 Environmental Pollution 74 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 406 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 88 citations
Review Tier 2

Critical review on airborne microplastics: An indoor air contaminant of emerging concern

This review summarizes existing research on microplastics floating in indoor air, finding that synthetic textiles, flooring materials, and increased use of plastic protective equipment since the pandemic are major sources. Indoor microplastic levels can be higher than outdoor levels, and inhaling these particles has been linked to respiratory, immune, and nervous system concerns. The findings highlight that people face significant microplastic exposure simply from breathing the air in their own homes and workplaces.

2023 Environmental Research 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Airborne microplastics: environmental prevalence, human health risks, and mitigation strategies

This critical review synthesized findings from 156 peer-reviewed papers on airborne microplastics, covering sampling methodologies, environmental prevalence, health hazards, and mitigation strategies. Researchers found that atmospheric microplastic concentrations vary widely across environments and highlighted significant gaps in toxicological research regarding human health effects from inhaled microplastic particles.

2026 Analytical Methods
Article Tier 2

The Pollution of Atmospheric Microplastics and Their Potential Risks to Humans

This review summarizes what is known about airborne microplastics—tiny plastic particles floating in the air we breathe—including their sources, distribution, and potential health risks. Fibers are the most common form found in air, and inhalation is an important but underestimated route of human microplastic exposure.

2021 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 3 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

Microplastics as an emerging source of particulate air pollution: A critical review

This review examines airborne microplastics as a form of particulate air pollution, highlighting risks especially for factory workers who handle plastics. Microplastics have been detected in both indoor and outdoor air, where they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The authors note significant gaps in understanding how airborne microplastics affect air quality and human respiratory health, and call for better monitoring and occupational safety standards.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 390 citations
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
Systematic Review Tier 1

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.

2024 Emerging contaminants 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Airborne Microplastics and its Impact to Environmental Health

This review compiles recent findings on airborne microplastics, examining their sources, transport pathways, and potential health effects. The study highlights that airborne microplastics can travel long distances through atmospheric currents, contaminating both urban and remote environments, and that inhalation may contribute to respiratory disorders, particularly among vulnerable populations.

2025 Water Air & Soil Pollution 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Airborne Microplastics: A Review on the Occurrence, Migration and Risks to Humans

This review examines the growing concern of airborne microplastics, which are mostly fiber-shaped particles originating from synthetic textiles. Researchers found that these tiny plastic particles can be inhaled directly by humans and also contribute to microplastic contamination in water and soil environments. The study highlights the need for more research to better understand the health risks posed by breathing in airborne microplastics.

2021 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 137 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric Microplastics and Human Health: Sources, Exposure, and Risks

This review systematically summarizes the sources, distribution, and health implications of atmospheric microplastics in both indoor and outdoor air. The study highlights growing evidence that inhaled microplastics can enter the human body and pose potential risks to the respiratory system, while identifying key limitations and uncertainties in current exposure assessment methods.

2026 Applied and Computational Engineering
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

Atmospheric Microplastics: Perspectives on Origin, Abundances, Ecological and Health Risks

This review summarizes current knowledge about microplastics in the atmosphere, including their sources, how far they travel, and potential health effects from inhalation. Researchers found that airborne microplastics can carry toxic chemicals deep into the respiratory system and may contribute to respiratory problems and other health concerns. The study emphasizes that atmospheric microplastic pollution remains poorly understood due to a lack of standardized measurement methods.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 22 citations
Review Tier 2

A narrative review of microplastics in the indoor and outdoor environment, human effects, and ecological risks

This narrative review examined microplastic contamination in both indoor and outdoor air, as well as other environmental compartments, and discussed potential effects on human health. The study found that microplastics are present in homes, offices, and outdoor air alongside traditional environmental settings, and suggests that airborne exposure may be an underappreciated route by which people encounter these particles daily.

2024 Journal of Air Pollution and Health 9 citations
Review Tier 2

Indoor microplastics: a comprehensive review and bibliometric analysis

This review summarizes research on microplastic pollution inside buildings, where people spend most of their time. Indoor environments generally have higher microplastic concentrations than outdoors, with fiber-shaped particles from synthetic textiles being the most common type. Since people inhale and ingest these particles daily, indoor microplastic exposure may be a significant and underappreciated route of human health risk.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Airborne microplastics: Emerging threats and health implications for humans

This review synthesizes research on airborne microplastics as emerging human health hazards, covering their sources, atmospheric transport, inhalation and ingestion exposure pathways, and evidence of toxicological impacts on the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.

2025 International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences