Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Characteristics, sources and influencing factors of atmospheric deposition of microplastics in three different ecosystems of Beijing, China

Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastic deposition across forest, agricultural, and residential ecosystems in Beijing, finding that residential areas had the highest deposition fluxes, with PET and rayon fibers being the dominant types.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics, sources and potential ecological risk of atmospheric microplastics in Lhasa city

Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastics collected at a monitoring site, identifying their sources, size distribution, polymer composition, and potential ecological risks from aerial deposition to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

2024 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic atmospheric dustfall pollution in urban environment: Evidence from the types, distribution, and probable sources in Beijing, China

Researchers collected atmospheric dustfall samples across urban Beijing and analyzed the types, distribution, and likely sources of airborne microplastics. They found that synthetic fibers from textiles and fragments from various plastic products were the dominant forms, with concentrations varying by location and proximity to pollution sources. The study provides evidence that urban atmospheric microplastic pollution is widespread and likely linked to daily human activities and industrial processes.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 56 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Environmental Pollution 52 citations
Article Tier 2

An important source of terrestrial microplastics‐atmospheric deposition: A microplastics survey based on Shaanxi, China

A six-month atmospheric sampling campaign across ten cities in Shaanxi Province, China detected microplastics in all air deposition samples, including both wet (rain/snow) and dry deposition. The most abundant polymer types were PET, polyacrylonitrile, PE, and PP — consistent with textiles and packaging as key sources — and concentrations were highest in the provincial capital Xi'an, correlating with urban population density. The study confirms that atmospheric fallout is a significant and widespread route by which microplastics enter terrestrial environments far from any obvious plastic source.

2024 Land Degradation and Development 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics at a western China metropolis: Relationship with underlying surface types and human exposure

Researchers measured microplastic fallout from the atmosphere in Chengdu, China, and found that the type of ground surface below -- urban, green space, or mixed -- influenced how much airborne microplastic accumulated. Using a probability model, they estimated that people are exposed to significant amounts of airborne microplastics during outdoor activities, adding to the growing evidence that we inhale these particles daily.

2024 Environmental Pollution 20 citations
Article Tier 2

A comprehensive risk assessment of microplastics in soil, water, and atmosphere: Implications for human health and environmental safety

This comprehensive study analyzed microplastic contamination across soil, water, and air in China, finding that polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene were the most common types. While current risk assessments rate the direct ecological danger as low, the study warns that microplastics interact with other pollutants in ways that amplify their combined health and environmental risks, and that existing assessment models may underestimate the true danger.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Sources and distribution of atmospheric microplastics in Northwest China river valleys via land use

This study quantified suspended atmospheric microplastics across eight land use types in Lanzhou, northwest China, finding a mean abundance of 4.5 particles/m³ with peaks in industrial and residential areas. Land use type was the strongest predictor of MP concentration, highlighting urban and agricultural activities as key emission drivers.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and sources of microplastics in dust of the Ebinur lake Basin, northwest China

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in atmospheric dustfall across the Ebinur Lake Basin in northwest China, sampling four land-use types monthly for a year. They found construction land had the highest microplastic content (28.61 mg/kg), with films (46.85%) and PE/PP polymers dominating, and identified daily plastic products and industrial packaging as primary sources.

2022 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in a rural region of North China Plain

Researchers investigated atmospheric microplastic deposition in a rural area of the North China Plain, finding significant quantities of microplastics deposited through both dry and wet pathways, with fibers and polyethylene being the dominant types.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristic of microplastics in the atmospheric fallout from Dongguan city, China: preliminary research and first evidence

Researchers characterized microplastics in atmospheric fallout collected in Dongguan City, China, finding that airborne microplastics are deposited daily and that urban areas generate significant atmospheric microplastic emissions.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 912 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of suspended atmospheric microplastics in Tianjin Binhai New Area: characterization, human health risks, and correlation with weather conditions and Air Quality Index

Researchers measured airborne microplastics in an urban area of Tianjin, China, and found them in every sample collected during autumn and winter. The particles were mostly fibers, with polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene among the most common types, and concentrations varied with weather conditions like humidity and barometric pressure. A health risk assessment suggested that residents face measurable exposure to airborne microplastics, raising concerns about long-term inhalation risks.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution, Respiratory Exposure, and Traceability of Atmospheric Microplastics in Yichang City].

Researchers sampled airborne microplastics at 16 locations across Yichang City, China, and found them in every area, with the highest concentrations settling over urban residential neighborhoods. The particles were mostly polyester fibers and came predominantly from nearby sources rather than long-range transport. Daily inhalation estimates were calculated for both adults and children, highlighting indoor and outdoor respiratory exposure as a meaningful human health concern that warrants tighter monitoring.

2023 PubMed 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in the megalopolis (Shanghai) during rainy season: Characteristics, influence factors, and source

Researchers characterized atmospheric microplastic deposition in Shanghai during the rainy season, finding that rainfall events significantly increased deposition rates, with fibers dominating and sources linked to both local urban activities and long-range atmospheric transport.

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

Occurrence, influencing factors and sources of atmospheric microplastics in peri-urban farmland ecosystems of Beijing, China

Researchers measured atmospheric microplastic deposition in farmland areas on the outskirts of Beijing and found an average of about 167 particles per square meter per day settling from the air. The majority were tiny fibers made of polyester and rayon, likely originating from textile sources and urban activities. The study demonstrates that atmospheric fallout is a meaningful pathway for microplastic contamination of agricultural soils near cities.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and traceability analysis of dry deposition of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) in Wuliangsuhai Lake

Atmospheric microplastic dry deposition was characterized at six sites around Wuliangsuhai Lake in China from March to June 2021, and source traceability analysis identified local agricultural plastic use and urban areas as major contributors to atmospheric MP loading.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Origins and ecological risk of atmospheric microplastics at a remote background site in Japan

Atmospheric microplastics collected at a high-altitude site were traced to both local and long-range transport origins, revealing the broad geographical spread of airborne plastic particles. The ecological risk assessment found potential impacts on vulnerable high-elevation ecosystems far from pollution sources.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric microplastics in Handan, China: characteristics, seasonal variations, and human exposure risk

Researchers conducted a year-long monitoring campaign of deposited and suspended atmospheric microplastics in Handan, an industrial city in northern China. They found strong seasonal variations linked to wind patterns and industrial emissions, with human inhalation exposure posing a measurable health risk.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Article Tier 2

Mass distribution of PET and PC microplastics in the atmosphere of Tianjin, China

Researchers measured the mass distribution of PET and polycarbonate microplastics in total suspended particles collected from the urban atmosphere of Tianjin, China, finding that East Asian monsoon dynamics influence seasonal and spatial patterns of atmospheric microplastic distribution. The study provides quantitative data on plastic polymer composition in urban air under monsoon-affected conditions.

2025 APN Science Bulletin