Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Characterization of Airborne Microplastic Particles Collected from the Textile Workplaces Environment

Researchers characterized airborne microplastic particles collected from textile workplace environments, documenting the size, morphology, polymer types, and concentrations of synthetic fiber fragments that textile workers inhale during production, highlighting occupational exposure risks.

2025 International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM ...
Article Tier 2

Collection and Characterization of Synthetic Airborne Particles

Researchers characterized polypropylene micro-nano particles in the air inside and outside textile industry workplaces, finding workers are exposed to plastic particles across multiple size fractions including fine PM2.5 and PM1 ranges that can penetrate deep into the lungs.

2023 Advanced Materials Letters 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of plastic particles in the industrial environment

This study reviewed exposure routes of textile industry workers to polyester nano/microplastics and characterized polyester particles collected near weaving, knitting, and garment-making workplaces. Laser aerosol spectrometer measurements quantified total suspended particle concentrations and size fractions (PM10, PM2.5, PM1), revealing occupational exposure to microplastics in textile manufacturing settings.

2024 AIP conference proceedings
Article Tier 2

Correlating SEM and Raman Microscopy to Quantify Occupational Exposure to Micro- and Nanoscale Plastics in Textile Manufacturing

Researchers quantified airborne particle exposure during the processing of polyester textile materials at the start and end of work shifts, combining online monitoring with microscopic filter analysis. Small particles dominated numerically, but larger particles contributed disproportionately to mass, raising occupational exposure concerns for workers handling synthetic textiles.

2025 Preprints.org
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and nanoplastics science: collecting and characterizing airborne microplastics in fine particulate matter

Researchers developed and evaluated methods for collecting and characterizing airborne microplastics smaller than 2.5 micrometers for toxicological assessment. They found that a variety of microplastics in the respirable size range of 0.1 to 1 micrometer were present in personal, indoor, and outdoor air samples. The study highlights challenges in identifying airborne microplastics after cellular exposure and emphasizes the need for optimized analytical methods to better understand inhalation risks.

2021 Nanotoxicology 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of the Morphological and Chemical Profile of Different Families of Microplastics in Samples of Breathable Air

Researchers characterized the morphological and chemical profiles of airborne microplastics collected from breathable air samples, finding diverse polymer types and particle shapes and examining how these particles are transported through the atmosphere to the air people breathe.

2023 Molecules 25 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

Comparative Analysis of Airborne Particle Concentrations in Textile Industry Environments Throughout the Workday

Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations in a textile factory that processes polyester yarns and found significant levels of plastic particles in the air throughout the workday. Workers in these environments are exposed to microplastic fibers through inhalation, which has been linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular problems. The study highlights that people working in the textile industry face elevated microplastic exposure, reinforcing concerns about occupational health risks from airborne plastic particles.

2025 Microplastics 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Correlating Scanning Electron Microscopy and Raman Microscopy to Quantify Occupational Exposure to Micro- and Nanoscale Plastics in Textile Manufacturing

Researchers used a correlative SEM-Raman microscopy approach to quantify airborne micro- and nanoplastic particle exposure during polyester microfiber production in a textile manufacturing facility. The study found that sub-micrometer particles dominated the workplace aerosol, with PET being the main process-related nanoplastic type, providing substance-specific occupational exposure data that has been largely lacking in this field.

2026 Pollutants
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

Does microplastic really represent a threat? A review of the atmospheric contamination sources and potential impacts

This review examines airborne microplastics as emerging atmospheric contaminants that people inevitably inhale during normal breathing. Researchers found that fibers from synthetic textiles are the most common form of airborne microplastics, and their small size allows them to remain suspended in air and potentially cause health problems. The study discusses analytical methods used to measure airborne microplastics and calls for more research into their environmental and health impacts.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 128 citations
Article Tier 2

Occupational Exposure to Elevated Levels of Inhalable Microplastics in Plastic and Fiber Factory Workers

Researchers measured inhalable microplastic exposure levels among workers in plastic and fiber factories, finding elevated concentrations of particles small enough to penetrate biological membranes and accumulate in tissues. The fraction of microplastics below 20 micrometers is of particular concern because these particles can induce inflammation and cellular damage. The study highlights that occupational settings in the plastics industry may represent a significant route of human microplastic exposure through inhalation.

2025 1 citations
Review Tier 2

Emerging environmental challenge: a critical review of airborne microplastics

This review provides a comprehensive assessment of airborne microplastic pollution, covering their sources, distribution in indoor and outdoor environments, and potential health effects. Researchers found that airborne microplastics are present in diverse settings from homes to remote mountain regions, with textile fibers being the most common type. The study highlights that understanding the health risks of inhaling these particles remains an urgent research priority.

2024 Environmental Research Communications 5 citations
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

Microplastics comparison of indoor and outdoor air and ventilation rate effect in outskirts of the Seoul metropolitan city

Researchers measured airborne microplastics both indoors and outdoors in buildings near Seoul, finding that indoor concentrations were 1.8 times higher than outdoor levels. Polyester fibers from clothing and furnishings were the most common type, and lower ventilation rates led to higher indoor microplastic levels, meaning the air people breathe at home and work may be a significant source of microplastic exposure.

2024 Emerging contaminants 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Occupational Risks of Microplastics in Textile Manufacturing: Health Impacts and Mitigation Strategies

This review examined occupational exposure to microplastics among workers in the textile manufacturing sector, where synthetic fibers are released during production, drying, and sewing processes. Researchers found that textile workers face elevated risks of inhaling polyester and polypropylene microfibers that can affect respiratory health. The study calls for improved workplace ventilation, protective equipment, and regulatory standards to reduce microplastic exposure in this industry.

2025 Advances in Research 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Atmospheric Microplastic Pollution in Textile Industrial Areas: Source, Composition, and Health Risk Assessment

Researchers measured airborne microplastic levels inside and around textile factories in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding that indoor deposition rates were up to 12 times higher than outdoor rates. Textile workers were estimated to inhale and ingest significant amounts of microplastic fibers made of polyester, nylon, and other synthetic materials. The study highlights that textile factory workers face substantially higher microplastic exposure than the general population, with potential long-term respiratory health risks.

2025 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Airborne Microplastics: A Review on the Occurrence, Migration and Risks to Humans

This review examines the growing concern of airborne microplastics, which are mostly fiber-shaped particles originating from synthetic textiles. Researchers found that these tiny plastic particles can be inhaled directly by humans and also contribute to microplastic contamination in water and soil environments. The study highlights the need for more research to better understand the health risks posed by breathing in airborne microplastics.

2021 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 137 citations
Article Tier 2

From properties to toxicity: Comparing microplastics to other airborne microparticles

This study compared airborne microplastics to other well-studied airborne particles like asbestos, silica, soot, and cotton dust to better understand potential health risks from inhaling plastic particles. Researchers examined how properties such as size, shape, surface charge, and durability drive toxicity across these different particle types. The comparison provides a framework for understanding microplastic inhalation risks, which remain poorly studied despite growing evidence of atmospheric plastic pollution.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 125 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

Morphological and chemical analysis of indoor airborne microplastics: implications for human health in Ahvaz, Iran

Researchers analyzed airborne microplastics inside homes, offices, and commercial buildings in Ahvaz, Iran, finding significant concentrations that vary by building type and season. Using Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy, they identified various polymer types and estimated annual inhaled doses based on typical occupancy patterns. The study found that people may be inhaling meaningful amounts of microplastics indoors, where they spend most of their time, posing potential respiratory and other health risks.

2025 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of airborne microplastics emission and characteristics in hospital laundry environments

Researchers sampled the air in a hospital laundry environment and found high concentrations of airborne microplastic particles, predominantly polyamide (nylon) fibers. Particle concentrations ranged from roughly 43,000 to 67,000 particles per cubic meter, with black particles making up 97% of the samples. The study raises concerns about inhalation exposure risks for hospital laundry workers and highlights the need for improved ventilation and protective measures in these occupational settings.

2026 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

Microplastics as an emerging source of particulate air pollution: A critical review

This review examines airborne microplastics as a form of particulate air pollution, highlighting risks especially for factory workers who handle plastics. Microplastics have been detected in both indoor and outdoor air, where they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The authors note significant gaps in understanding how airborne microplastics affect air quality and human respiratory health, and call for better monitoring and occupational safety standards.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 390 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of atmospheric microplastic levels in a textile industry intensive region

This study measured atmospheric microplastic levels in a region with intensive textile manufacturing, finding elevated concentrations linked to industrial fiber emissions. The results underscore the textile sector as a significant local source of airborne microplastic pollution.

2024