Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Development and evaluation of an air filtration system combining Electrostatic Precipitators for airborne microplastics

This study developed and tested an air filtration system combining electrostatic precipitators to capture airborne microplastics in indoor environments. Testing confirmed the system could efficiently remove microplastic particles, presenting a promising tool for reducing indoor inhalation exposure.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of Floating Micro-particle Collection Efficiency According to Gas Flow Conditions in the Channel

This study tested electrostatic precipitators as a method for capturing airborne microplastic particles, achieving up to 94.3% collection efficiency by optimizing electrode spacing and injection pressure. The findings provide baseline engineering data for developing practical air filtration systems to remove microplastics from indoor or workplace air, which is important given growing evidence that humans regularly inhale plastic particles.

2023 Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Indoor Airborne Microplastics: Human Health Importance and Effects of Air Filtration and Turbulence

This review examines airborne microplastics in indoor environments, where people spend most of their time and where microplastic concentrations are higher than outdoors. Most indoor airborne microplastics are textile fibers small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they can enter the bloodstream and reach other organs. The authors discuss how air filtration and airflow patterns affect indoor microplastic levels, noting that breathing in microplastics may pose greater health risks than consuming them in food and drink.

2024 Microplastics 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and Mitigation of Deposited Indoor Air Microplastics in an Office Environment in Kuala Lumpur

Air purifier units were tested for their effectiveness in reducing microplastic concentrations in office environments at a Malaysian university. The study characterized indoor microplastic contamination sources and demonstrated that air purification can meaningfully reduce settled and airborne microplastic levels in office settings.

2024 E3S Web of Conferences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of a standardized methodology for the identification and characterization of airborne microplastics in working spaces

Researchers developed a standardized methodology for identifying and characterizing microplastics in both indoor and outdoor atmospheric samples. The protocol addresses the lack of consistent methods for airborne microplastic monitoring, which is important given the high amount of time people spend indoors.

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

Innovative prototype for the mitigation of water pollution from microplastics to safeguard the environment and health

Researchers developed an innovative prototype device for removing microplastics from water through a combination of filtration and electrocoagulation, demonstrating high MP removal efficiency from both synthetic and real water samples in controlled trials.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Nano/microplastics in indoor air: A critical review of synthesis routes for toxicity testing and preventative measure strategies

This review highlights that indoor air can contain up to 100 times more pollution than outdoor air, and people may inhale up to 130 tiny plastic particles every day. The authors discuss how airborne micro- and nanoplastics from clothing, carpets, furniture, and other household items can enter the lungs and potentially cause disease. The paper also proposes a new approach using specialized air filters to detect, trap, and absorb nanoplastics from indoor air.

2023 Process Safety and Environmental Protection 32 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

Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin

Researchers used a breathing thermal manikin to simulate human exposure to airborne microplastics inside three apartments and found that every sample contained microplastic particles. Polyester and polyamide fibers from textiles were the most common types detected. The study estimates that people inhale meaningful quantities of microplastics indoors, identifying a significant but understudied route of human exposure.

2019 Scientific Reports 729 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling Microplastic Pollution in the Air: Optimizing filter material and Work-up in PM10 studies

Researchers optimized filter material selection and sample preparation protocols for PM10 aerosol studies targeting airborne microplastics, finding that filter type significantly affects microplastic recovery and that careful blanking and contamination controls are essential.

2024
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

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)
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)
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

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

A comprehensive review of micro- and nano-plastics in the atmosphere: Occurrence, fate, toxicity, and strategies for risk reduction.

This review examines a decade of research on micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the atmosphere, covering their occurrence in outdoor and indoor air, toxicological effects on human health, and strategies to reduce exposure risk from inhalation of airborne plastic particles.

2023 The Science of the total environment
Article Tier 2

Exploring microplastics sources in indoor environments, an emerging pollutant

This study explores microplastics as an emerging indoor air and surface pollutant, examining the diverse sources that contribute to microplastic presence within indoor environments and characterizing the pathways by which people may be exposed.

2025 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository
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