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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Diurnal Dynamics of Atmospheric Microplastic Content in the Central Regions of Uzbekistan
ClearMicroplastics 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.
Abundance of microplastics and nanoplastics in urban atmosphere
Scientists measured microplastics and nanoplastics in the air of two major Chinese cities and found concentrations reaching hundreds of thousands of particles per cubic meter. Road dust being kicked up by traffic and rainfall washing particles out of the sky were the two biggest drivers of atmospheric plastic pollution. These findings suggest that city residents are inhaling significant amounts of plastic particles every day, with potential implications for respiratory and overall health.
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.
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.
Microplastics in the air of Metro Manila, Philippines: Diurnal and seasonal dynamics and potential health risk
Researchers measured suspended atmospheric microplastics in Metro Manila, Philippines across both dry and wet seasons and found higher concentrations during the dry season, with levels typically peaking during daytime hours. Temperature was positively associated with airborne microplastic levels, while humidity and rainfall helped reduce concentrations. The study estimates that people in the area could inhale more than 130 microplastic particles per month during the dry season, highlighting the need to include microplastics in air quality monitoring.
Airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments of a developing country in South Asia: abundance, distribution, morphology, and possible sources
Researchers quantified airborne microplastic concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments in a South Asian developing country, characterizing particle abundance, size distribution, morphology, and potential sources, finding significant microplastic air pollution in a lower-middle-income country context.
Temporal Variations and Characteristics of Microplastics in Indoor and Outdoor Air
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in indoor and outdoor air across different seasons and found levels were similar in both environments, averaging about 1.8–2.7 particles per cubic meter. The dominant plastic type was PET, and turbulent airflow and human activity — not season or day of week — were the main drivers of indoor microplastic levels.
Microplastics in the urban atmosphere: Sources, occurrences, distribution, and potential health implications
This review summarizes research on airborne microplastics in cities, finding that indoor sources like textiles and outdoor sources like traffic-related plastic particles are major contributors. Microplastic concentrations in urban air can be significant, especially in densely populated areas, and people can inhale these particles daily. The health implications of breathing in microplastics are still being studied, but early evidence suggests they may cause lung inflammation and other respiratory problems.
Spatiotemporal distribution and potential sources of atmospheric microplastic deposition in a semiarid urban environment of Northwest China
Atmospheric microplastic deposition in a semiarid urban environment in northwest China ranged from 79.5 to 810.0 particles per square meter per day, with peak deposition in summer, fibres and fragments dominating, and source analysis pointing to local plastic products and waste as primary contributors.
New insights into the long-term dynamics and deposition-suspension distribution of atmospheric microplastics in an urban area
Researchers tracked airborne microplastics in a city over a full year and found an average of 302 particles per square meter per day falling from the sky, with people potentially inhaling up to 12,777 particles per year. The microplastics came from sources up to 1,750 kilometers away, including traffic, industry, and textiles. This study highlights that breathing is a significant route of microplastic exposure for humans, even for people living far from obvious pollution sources.
Microplastics in the Atmospheric Deposited Dust Collected from Different Traffic Intersections in Dhaka City
Air samples collected at 15 major traffic intersections in Dhaka, Bangladesh, contained microplastics at deposition rates of up to 5.78 million particles per square meter per day, among the highest atmospheric microplastic levels reported in urban areas globally. The particles were predominantly polyethylene and nylon fibers, consistent with traffic and textile sources. This first-of-its-kind data for Dhaka highlights that residents of densely trafficked cities are inhaling substantial quantities of microplastics daily, with unknown health consequences.
Atmospheric microplastics deposition in a central Indian city: Distribution, characteristics and seasonal variations
Researchers measured airborne microplastic fallout in the Indian city of Nagpur and found 213 to 543 particles per square meter per day raining down from the sky, mostly tiny fibers from textiles. Children's estimated inhalation exposure was nearly double that of adults relative to body weight, raising particular health concerns about microplastic exposure through the air we breathe.
Occurrence and characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in Mexico City
Researchers conducted the first study of atmospheric microplastics in Mexico City, sampling air at seven monitoring stations across urban, residential, and industrial areas during dry and wet seasons. Microplastics were found in every sample, with higher concentrations near industrial and urban centers and during the dry season. The predominant type was blue fibers, and many particles were small enough to be inhaled, raising concerns about airborne microplastic exposure in densely populated cities.
Abundances, Characteristics, and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Microplastics in the Urban Area: A Case Study of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Scientists found tiny plastic particles floating in the air of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with higher amounts during certain weather seasons. These microplastics are small enough to get deep into our lungs when we breathe, and adults face higher health risks than children because they breathe in more air. This research shows that people living in busy cities may be regularly breathing in plastic pollution, but more studies are needed to understand the long-term health effects.
Microplastics in the atmosphere of Ahvaz City, Iran
Researchers characterized airborne microplastics in Ahvaz, Iran, finding that all detected particles were fibrous, predominantly polyester and nylon, with higher concentrations in urban areas compared to residential locations.
The Occurrence and Abundance of Microplastics in Dust Settled in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of Residential Houses in Kermanshah
Researchers measured microplastics in dust from homes in Kermanshah, Iran, finding them in every sample — with indoor levels significantly higher than outdoor levels and concentrations ranging up to 4,480 particles per square meter, suggesting people are regularly breathing microplastic-contaminated air inside their own homes.
[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.
Impact of Airborne Microplastics on Induced Sputum of Urban Dwellers: the Role of Environmental and Occupational Factors
Researchers analyzed induced sputum samples from 25 patients with respiratory diseases and found microplastics present in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 6 to 500 particles per 100 mL. Active smokers and workers in occupations with high plastic exposure had significantly higher microplastic concentrations. The study suggests that airborne microplastic inhalation is widespread among urban residents and may be influenced by both lifestyle and occupational factors.
Breathing plastics in Metro Manila, Philippines: Presence of suspended atmospheric microplastics in ambient air
Researchers detected suspended atmospheric microplastics in ambient air samples from 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines, confirming that urban air in Southeast Asia contains respirable plastic particles and raising concern about inhalation exposure among dense urban populations.
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.
Urban atmospheric microplastic distribution and potential health impact in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
This study assessed atmospheric microplastic pollution in Dhaka City's urban dust across ten major locations, finding widespread contamination dominated by fibers and fragments. Microplastic abundance was highest in areas with dense traffic and industrial activity, suggesting vehicle and garment sources as major contributors in this megacity.
Unveiling the seasonal transport and exposure risks of atmospheric microplastics in the southern area of the Yangtze River Delta, China
Researchers measured airborne microplastics in the city of Ningbo, China, finding an average of 0.145 particles per cubic meter of air, with urban areas having about 70% more than surrounding rural regions. Most airborne microplastics were fibers smaller than 1 millimeter, mainly from synthetic textiles and local industry, with levels highest in winter. The study estimated that trillions of microplastic particles are suspended in the air over this single city, highlighting the scale of airborne microplastic exposure for urban populations.
Atmospheric microplastic deposition associated with GDP and population growth: Insights from megacities in northern China
Researchers measured airborne microplastic pollution across 17 large cities in northern China and found that economic activity, especially GDP growth, was the strongest predictor of how much microplastic fell from the sky. The most common plastic types were polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane, and polyethylene, with most particles smaller than 78 micrometers. This matters for human health because these tiny airborne plastics can be inhaled, and their levels appear to rise as cities grow economically.
Atmospheric Microplastic Particulate Matter in an Urban Roadside: Case of Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia
Researchers sampled airborne microplastics at four locations across Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia, including industrial zones, residential neighborhoods, busy roads, and the city center. They found microplastic concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 0.02 particles per cubic meter of air, with fibrous shapes and PET plastic most common. Industrial areas had the highest total particulate levels, and northern parts of the city appear to be a likely source of airborne microplastics carried by traffic. This study adds to growing evidence that city dwellers are breathing in microplastics simply from the air around them.