Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Airborne microplastic contamination across diverse university indoor environments: A comprehensive ambient analysis

Researchers measured airborne microplastics across different indoor spaces at a university and found that people in those buildings inhale an estimated 180 to 240 microplastic particles daily. The most common types found were nylon, PTFE, polypropylene, and polyethylene, with fragments showing rough edges from wear and tear. This study highlights that indoor air is a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure for people who spend most of their time indoors.

2024 Air Quality Atmosphere & Health 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastics in university interior environments

This study measured airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor environments at a university, finding particles in air samples from multiple indoor settings. Results contribute to evidence that indoor air represents a significant daily source of microplastic inhalation exposure, particularly given the time people spend in closed indoor environments.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastics in university interior environments

This study measured microplastic concentrations in indoor air at university facilities, building on evidence that indoor environments are significant sites of microplastic exposure through inhalation. Particles were detected in multiple indoor settings, contributing to growing evidence that daily indoor air exposure is a notable route of human microplastic intake.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Long-term assessment of microplastics in indoor high school air: Abundance, sources, and polymeric analysis

Researchers monitored airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor high school environments over an extended period, identifying sources and seasonal patterns. Indoor air contained substantial microplastic levels, with textile fibers and outdoor infiltration contributing to persistent classroom air contamination.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic occurrence in settled indoor dust in schools

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in settled indoor dust collected from 28 schools and found an average of 195 particles per gram of dust. The most common particles were white polyester and polypropylene fibers likely shed from textiles and furnishings. The study highlights that children in school settings face meaningful microplastic exposure through dust inhalation and incidental ingestion.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 121 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and quantification of microplastics in indoor environments

Researchers measured airborne microplastics in indoor spaces including offices, labs, dining halls, and dormitories. Dormitories had the highest microplastic levels, with fibers being the most common shape found. The study highlights that people are regularly inhaling microplastics indoors, where they spend the majority of their time.

2023 Heliyon 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Long-term assessment of microplastics in indoor high school air: Abundance, sources, and polymeric analysis

This long-term study monitored microplastic concentrations in indoor high school air over multiple years, finding persistent contamination dominated by fibers, with sources including synthetic textiles and suggesting that indoor air is a significant human exposure route.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Quantification and exposure assessment of microplastics in Australian indoor house dust

Researchers collected dust samples from 32 Australian homes and found microplastic fibers in every one, with deposition rates varying widely between households. Homes with carpet had significantly higher levels of plastic fibers like polyethylene and polyester, while homes without carpet had more polyvinyl fibers from floor coatings. Since people spend about 90% of their time indoors, this household dust represents a major and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure through both inhalation and ingestion.

2021 Environmental Pollution 254 citations
Article Tier 2

Unravelling the microplastic contamination: A comprehensive analysis of microplastics in indoor house dust

This study provides a detailed analysis of microplastics found in indoor house dust, where people spend most of their time. Fibers were the most common type found, originating from textiles, carpets, and clothing, with plastic sizes and types varying across different household areas. The findings highlight that everyday indoor environments are a significant source of microplastic exposure through inhalation and ingestion of dust.

2024 Indoor and Built Environment 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing Microplastic Distribution in Indoor Environments: A Case Study of a University Facility in Kuala Lumpur

Microplastics were detected in the indoor air and settled dust of a Malaysian university building at concentrations averaging 156 particles per cubic metre in offices and 104 in classrooms, with estimated daily adult intakes of over 150 microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight per day. These findings confirm that indoor environments — where people spend the majority of their time — are a significant and often overlooked route of human microplastic inhalation and ingestion.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Indoor Microplastics and Microfibers

This review examines microplastic and microfiber contamination in indoor environments like homes, schools, and workplaces, finding that indoor air and dust often contain more microplastics than outdoor air. Indoor sources like furniture, textiles, and synthetic materials constantly shed tiny plastic fibers that people inhale, ingest, and absorb through skin contact. The review highlights that indoor microplastic exposure, especially through breathing, may be a more significant route of human exposure than previously thought.

2024 19 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Environmental Pollution 124 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in settled dust from university indoor environments: Puerto Colombia, Colombia

Researchers surveyed settled dust in university buildings in Puerto Colombia, Colombia, and found that laboratories had the highest concentrations of microplastics. The predominant particles were fibers in the 100-500 micrometer range, composed mainly of PET, polypropylene, and polyester. The findings highlight indoor academic environments as a notable but underexplored source of microplastic exposure.

2025 Environmental Science Atmospheres 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of microplastics in indoor and ambient air in northern New Jersey

Researchers characterized airborne microplastics in both indoor and outdoor environments across northern New Jersey, finding fibers, films, and fragments of common plastic types in offices, classrooms, hallways, and homes. Indoor microplastic concentrations were generally higher than outdoor levels, with deposition rates varying by location and particle size. The study adds to growing evidence that indoor air is a significant pathway for human microplastic exposure through inhalation.

2021 Environmental Research 206 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

Microplastics in dust from different indoor environments

Researchers measured microplastic levels in indoor dust across different types of buildings, finding that residential apartments had the highest concentrations at over 1,100 particles per gram of dust. Polyester fibers were the most common type in homes and hotels, while offices and classrooms had more polyethylene and polypropylene. The study estimated that infants face the highest daily microplastic intake from breathing indoor dust, roughly 30 times more per body weight than adults.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 134 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Journal of Advanced Research in Micro and Nano Engieering
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the indoor environment

This review examines microplastic contamination in indoor environments, noting that people are continuously exposed to microplastics in household dust, air, and from flooring, furniture, and textiles. Indoor microplastic exposure is a key route of human inhalation and ingestion that has received less attention than environmental contamination.

2020 UBibliorum repositorio digital da ubi (University of Beira Interior)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Fallout in Different Indoor Environments

Researchers tracked microplastic fallout in indoor environments (dormitory, office, corridor) over three months and found that higher human activity on workdays and airflow from air conditioning increased microplastic deposition rates, identifying indoor air as a significant exposure route.

2020 Environmental Science & Technology 404 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
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

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.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 72 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments in China: Characteristic and human exposure risk assessment

Researchers measured airborne microplastics at five locations in China, including indoor and outdoor sites, and found that indoor concentrations were consistently higher, with dining halls having the most contamination. Polyamide (nylon) particles were the most common type found, and dormitories contributed the most to daily respiratory exposure because people spend so many hours sleeping there. The study estimates that men aged 31 to 40 face the highest daily microplastic inhalation exposure.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic characterization based on the number of occupants

Microplastics were found in indoor dust from an apartment, office, and school in Surabaya, Indonesia, with school environments having the highest concentrations. The findings confirm that people — especially children — are continuously exposed to microplastics through the air they breathe indoors.

2020 AIP conference proceedings 11 citations