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Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Published on: March 21, 2025

Airborne microplastics: Occurrence, sources, fate, risks and mitigation.

Xinran Zhao¹, Yupeng Zhou¹, Chenzhe Liang¹

¹Environmental Science Programme, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, China.

The Science of the Total Environment

|November 10, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Airborne microplastics, both indoors and outdoors, pose risks to plants, animals, and humans. This review highlights their sources, prevalence, and potential health impacts, emphasizing mitigation strategies like source reduction and air filtration.

Keywords:

Airborne microplastics Deposition Indoor Outdoor Suspended Transport

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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Toxicology
Atmospheric Chemistry

Background:

Knowledge on airborne microplastics is limited compared to other environments.
Airborne microplastics originate from diverse outdoor (tire wear, incineration) and indoor (textiles, furnishings) sources.
Their environmental fate involves suspension, resuspension, settling, and interactions with other substances.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review the prevalence, sources, fate, risks, and mitigation of airborne microplastics.
To emphasize indoor microplastics and their risks to flora and fauna.
To consolidate current knowledge from over 140 scientific papers, focusing on recent research.

Main Methods:

Systematic literature review of >140 scientific papers, primarily from the last decade.
Analysis of studies focusing on airborne microplastic prevalence, sources, environmental fate, and toxicological impacts.
Comparative assessment of indoor versus outdoor airborne microplastic concentrations and characteristics.

Main Results:

Airborne microplastics detected globally, with outdoor concentrations varying widely (0.3 particles/m³ to 154,000 particles/L).
Indoor microplastic concentrations (1 piece/m³ to 9900 pieces/m²/day) often exceed outdoor levels.
Adverse effects include reduced photosynthesis in plants, growth retardation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and increased cancer risk in humans.

Conclusions:

Airborne microplastics present significant environmental and health risks, necessitating targeted mitigation.
Indoor microplastics are a substantial and often overlooked component of airborne particulate pollution.
Effective mitigation requires source reduction, improved air filtration, regulatory measures, and development of biodegradable alternatives.