Papers

61,005 results
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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

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

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
Review Tier 2

A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of sources and analytical approaches of indoor microplastics

Researchers systematically reviewed the scientific literature on microplastics in indoor air and found a sharp rise in research after 2017, likely spurred by COVID-19 pandemic attention to indoor air quality. The review highlights that sources like synthetic textiles, furniture, and ventilation systems contribute to indoor microplastic exposure, but standardized measurement methods are still lacking.

2023 Emerging contaminants 16 citations
Article Tier 2

The Occurrence of Microplastics in the Indoor Environment

This book examines the occurrence of microplastics in indoor environments, covering sources, accumulation patterns, and implications for human exposure. It compiles research on indoor microplastic contamination as a growing area of concern distinct from outdoor and aquatic pollution.

2025
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

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

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.

2020 Journal of Ecological Engineering 52 citations
Article Tier 2

International quantification of microplastics in indoor dust: prevalence, exposure and risk assessment

In the largest international study of its kind, researchers measured microplastic contamination in indoor dust from 108 homes across 29 countries. The study found that synthetic polymer fibers were present in all sampled homes, with higher concentrations linked to certain household factors, and estimated potential human exposure levels.

2022 Environmental Pollution 55 citations
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
Article Tier 2

Review of microplastics in the indoor environment: Distribution, human exposure and potential health impacts

This review comprehensively analyzes microplastic contamination in indoor environments, where most people spend the majority of their time. Researchers found that indoor exposure to microplastics comes from multiple sources including dust, air, drinking water, and food, with finer particles posing the greatest concern because they can enter the bloodstream and organs. The findings suggest that indoor microplastic exposure represents a meaningful but understudied health risk that requires further research into mitigation strategies.

2023 Chemosphere 50 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024
Article Tier 2

A Short Review On Content And Composition Of Airborne Microplastics

This short review synthesizes current knowledge on airborne microplastic concentrations and polymer composition, summarizing monitoring data from indoor and outdoor environments and identifying research gaps in exposure assessment.

2024 1 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
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

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

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
Systematic Review Tier 1

Systematic Review on Indoor Microplastics: Unveiling Sources, Exposure Pathways, and Human Health Implications

This systematic review reveals that indoor environments are a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure. People spend most of their time indoors, where microplastics shed from textiles, furniture, and packaging accumulate in dust and air, meaning your home and office may be major contributors to the microplastics you breathe and ingest daily.

2024 Journal of Advanced Research in Micro and Nano Engieering 10 citations
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
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

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
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

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

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