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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Airborne microplastics and plastic additives in a school environment: identification, quantification, and associated inhalation risks
ClearLong-term assessment of microplastics in indoor high school air: Abundance, sources, and polymeric analysis
Researchers monitored airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor high school environments over an extended period, identifying sources and seasonal patterns. Indoor air contained substantial microplastic levels, with textile fibers and outdoor infiltration contributing to persistent classroom air contamination.
Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles
Researchers measured microplastics and their chemical additives in airborne dust at an electronics recycling plant, identifying ten different plastic types and eight classes of additives including flame retardants and phthalates. The findings confirm that people can inhale microplastics along with potentially harmful chemicals at work, raising concerns about respiratory and overall health risks from airborne plastic pollution.
Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles
This study quantified microplastics and plastic polymer additives in airborne particulate matter collected from indoor and outdoor environments, characterizing the contribution of plastic particles to inhalation exposure. Microplastics and associated additives were detected in breathable air, supporting inhalation as a significant route of human plastic exposure.
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.
Atmospheric microplastics deposition assessment in a countryside municipality in Southeastern Brazil: A case study at a state elementary school
Microplastic particles were detected in both outdoor and indoor air at a Brazilian elementary school over a two-year period, with outdoor concentrations reaching up to 168 particles per square meter per day. Most indoor particles were polyester fragments and fibers, likely from synthetic clothing and school supplies. This study is significant because children — who breathe more air relative to their body weight and spend substantial time indoors — represent a particularly vulnerable population for microplastic inhalation exposure.
Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles
Researchers quantified microplastics and polymer additives in airborne samples to assess inhalation exposure, finding synthetic particles across multiple size fractions in outdoor air. The study highlights airborne microplastics as a significant and often underestimated route of human plastic exposure.
Exploration of microplastic concentration in indoor and outdoor air samples: Morphological, polymeric, and elemental analysis
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments in Islamabad, Pakistan, finding that indoor air contained nearly five times more microplastics than outdoor air. Classrooms had the highest contamination at about 6 particles per cubic meter, with fibers being the most common shape and polyester (PET) the most common plastic type. These findings highlight that people are continuously inhaling microplastics, especially indoors.
Volatile Organic Compounds in Early Childhood Education Facilities: Simultaneous Indoor and Outdoor Measurements in the Haifa Bay Area
Researchers measured volatile organic compound levels simultaneously indoors and outdoors at three early childhood education facilities in the Haifa Bay area of Israel. While the study focuses primarily on air quality rather than microplastics, it contributes to the broader understanding of indoor environmental exposures that young children face. The findings emphasize the importance of monitoring indoor pollutant levels in settings where vulnerable populations spend significant time.
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.
Microplastic characterization based on the number of occupants
Microplastics were found in indoor dust from an apartment, office, and school in Surabaya, Indonesia, with school environments having the highest concentrations. The findings confirm that people — especially children — are continuously exposed to microplastics through the air they breathe indoors.
Inhalable microplastics and plastic additives in the indoor air of chemical laboratories
Researchers measured inhalable microplastics and plastic additives in the air of chemical laboratories, focusing on the particle sizes most relevant to human breathing. Using pyrolysis-gas chromatography mass spectrometry, they detected various polymers and endocrine-disrupting plastic additives in both fine and coarse air fractions. The study highlights that indoor workplaces can be significant sources of airborne microplastic exposure, with potential implications for occupational health.
Unveiling the hidden pollutants in the indoor environment: Focus on microplastic pollution and its related risks in the educational institutions of megacity, Bangladesh
Researchers measured microplastic pollution in classroom dust at educational institutions in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding significant levels of contamination in indoor environments where children spend much of their day. The most common particles were fibers from synthetic textiles, and the concentrations varied based on room type and ventilation. Since children breathe closer to the ground and have developing lungs, this indoor microplastic exposure is a health concern that deserves attention.
Airborne Microplastics in Indoor and Outdoor Environments at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus
Researchers collected airborne microplastic samples from indoor and outdoor environments at a Malaysian university campus, finding microplastics present in all locations with higher concentrations indoors and fiber morphologies predominating, suggesting occupants are continually exposed via inhalation.
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.
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.
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.
Comparative analysis of indoor and outdoor airborne microplastics in a school in Vilnius, Lithuania
Researchers compared indoor and outdoor airborne microplastic contamination at a school in Vilnius, Lithuania over five months. The study found distinct differences in composition: indoor air was dominated by polyester and acrylates from textiles and coatings, while outdoor air contained primarily polyethylene and polypropylene from traffic and packaging sources, raising concerns about prolonged exposure for children in school environments.
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.
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.
Determination of microplastics in university interior environments
This study measured microplastic concentrations in indoor air at university facilities, building on evidence that indoor environments are significant sites of microplastic exposure through inhalation. Particles were detected in multiple indoor settings, contributing to growing evidence that daily indoor air exposure is a notable route of human microplastic intake.
Airborne microplastics and fibers in indoor residential environments in Aveiro, Portugal
Researchers measured airborne microplastics and synthetic fibers inside five homes in Portugal, finding roughly one synthetic particle per cubic meter of indoor air on average, with fibers being the most common type. The study underscores that indoor air is a meaningful route of microplastic inhalation exposure and that better measurement methods are needed to capture the smallest, most breathable particles.
Influence of agricultural activity in corn farming on airborne microplastic in surrounding elementary school
Researchers measured airborne microplastics inside an elementary school located near corn farms during different agricultural activity periods. They found that microplastic concentrations in the school's air increased significantly during active farming operations like plowing and harvesting. The study suggests that agricultural activities can contribute to indoor microplastic exposure in nearby buildings, particularly affecting children.
Assessing Microplastic Distribution in Indoor Environments: A Case Study of a University Facility in Kuala Lumpur
Microplastics were detected in the indoor air and settled dust of a Malaysian university building at concentrations averaging 156 particles per cubic metre in offices and 104 in classrooms, with estimated daily adult intakes of over 150 microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight per day. These findings confirm that indoor environments — where people spend the majority of their time — are a significant and often overlooked route of human microplastic inhalation and ingestion.
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.