Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

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

Researchers designed and evaluated an electrostatic precipitator-based air filtration system specifically targeting airborne microplastics. The system demonstrated effective capture of microplastic particles from indoor air, offering a practical engineering solution to reduce human inhalation exposure.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

Comparision of air sampling techniques to analyse microplastics during plastic recycling

Researchers compared air sampling methods for measuring microplastics released during plastic recycling operations, evaluating capture efficiency and particle size coverage. The study identified which sampling approaches are most suitable for characterizing worker inhalation exposure in recycling facilities.

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

Comparision of air sampling techniques to analyse microplastics during plastic recycling

Researchers compared different air sampling techniques for analyzing microplastics during plastic recycling operations, evaluating each method's ability to capture and identify airborne particles. The comparison identified key strengths and limitations of each approach for occupational and environmental air monitoring.

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

Airborne Microplastics in Workplaces: Preliminary Findings from a Multi-site Investigation of Plastic Handling and Processing Facilities

A multi-site investigation of airborne microplastics in plastic handling and processing workplaces found elevated concentrations compared to outdoor air, with particle morphology and polymer types reflecting the specific plastics handled at each facility, identifying occupational inhalation as a significant exposure pathway.

2025 Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
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

Utilizing Electrosorption for Efficient Removal of Polyethylene Microplastics from Water: Critical Factors and Mechanistic Insights

Researchers developed an electrosorption method using graphite felt electrodes to remove tiny polyethylene microplastics from water. By optimizing voltage, flow rate, and salt concentration, they achieved a removal efficiency of nearly 97%. The study lays groundwork for a scalable technology that could help capture microplastics that slip through conventional wastewater treatment systems.

2025 ACS ES&T Engineering 3 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

The quantification of the airborne plastic particles of 0.43–11 μm: Procedure development and application to atmospheric environment

Researchers developed a new method for measuring airborne plastic particles as small as 0.43 micrometers, a size range rarely studied before. Testing the approach in real atmospheric conditions, they detected multiple types of plastic polymers in the air, including polyethylene, polystyrene, and PET, providing evidence that people are regularly breathing in ultrafine plastic particles.

2024 Chemosphere 37 citations
Article Tier 2

A Flow-through Passive Sampler for Microplastics in Air

Researchers developed and tested a flow-through passive air sampler designed to capture airborne microplastics without requiring electrical power. Field tests showed the sampler produced results comparable to conventional high-volume air samplers while being deployable in remote locations. The device offers a practical, low-cost tool for monitoring microplastic concentrations in the atmosphere across diverse settings.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Electrostatic Separation of Microplastics From Mineral-Rich Environmental Samples

This study evaluated electrostatic separation as a technique for extracting microplastics from mineral-rich environmental samples like soil and sediment, finding that recovery rates varied significantly by polymer type. Electrostatic separation shows promise for processing large sample volumes but requires further optimization before it can be reliably used for routine microplastic monitoring.

2020 Frontiers in Environmental Science 56 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 outdoor and indoor atmospheric samples, addressing the absence of harmonized protocols that limits comparability across airborne microplastic studies. The standardized approach improved reproducibility and allowed more accurate assessment of human inhalation exposure in different environments.

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

Utilizing Electrosorptionfor Efficient Removal ofPolyethylene Microplastics from Water: Critical Factors and MechanisticInsights

An electrosorption method was developed to remove polyethylene microplastics from wastewater, demonstrating improved removal efficiency compared to conventional treatment, especially for smaller particles that typically escape standard wastewater treatment plants.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Efficient removal of nanoplastics from industrial wastewater through synergetic electrophoretic deposition and particle-stabilized foam formation

Researchers developed a new method to remove nanoplastics from industrial wastewater by combining electrophoretic deposition with particle-stabilized foam formation. The process uses pH changes from water electrolysis to make tiny plastic particles attach to bubbles near the electrode, achieving removal rates above 90%. The technique was successfully tested on real-world wastewater from paint and plastics manufacturing, offering a practical approach to addressing nanoplastic pollution that is too small for conventional filters.

2024 Nature Communications 36 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

A systematic review of biomonitoring microplastics in environmental matrices: Emphasis on airborne particles, dry deposits, and comparative analysis with traditional methods

This systematic review examines methods for monitoring microplastics in the air, including airborne particles and deposits. Researchers have found microplastics everywhere from city streets to clouds, underscoring the extent of airborne plastic pollution that people breathe in every day.

2025 Environmental Advances 17 citations
Article Tier 2

A new approach in separating microplastics from environmental samples based on their electrostatic behavior

Researchers developed a novel electrostatic separation method to isolate microplastics from environmental matrices based on differences in electrostatic behavior between plastic particles and natural materials. The technique offers a low-cost, chemical-free approach to microplastic extraction that could complement or replace existing density separation methods in some applications.

2017 Environmental Pollution 245 citations
Article Tier 2

Tribo-Electrostatic Separation Analysis of a Beneficial Solution in the Recycling of Mixed Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) and High-Density Polyethylene

Researchers optimized an electrostatic separation process for sorting PET and HDPE plastic particles, testing how different parameters affect separation efficiency for recycling. Improving plastic sorting technology is key to increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of plastic waste that ultimately degrades into environmental microplastics.

2021 Energies 13 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)
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

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)