Investigation of airborne microplastics emission and characteristics in hospital laundry environments

Plastic pollution has emerged as a critical global concern, with microplastics increasingly detected across various ecosystems, including the atmosphere. Among indoor sources, hospital laundry units have been identified as significant contributors to airborne microplastic emissions. This study investigates the concentration of inhalable microplastics (MPs (in the air of a hospital laundry environment. In this study, air sampling was conducted at three different time points using a personal air sampler operating at a flow rate of 0.5 L/min for 40 min per sample. Microplastics were characterized using FTIR, SEM, and EDX to ensure accurate identification. FTIR analysis identified the predominant polymer as polyamide (nylon), with characteristic peaks consistent with CH₂, C = O, and N-H groups. EDX analysis indicated an elemental composition of C (59%), N (32%), O (7%), and P (0.07%). SEM images revealed pronounced diurnal and day-to-day variability, with particle concentrations ranging from 43575 to 66975 particles/m³, though statistical analysis showed these variations were not significantly influenced by environmental factors such as humidity and air velocity in this short-term study. Notably, black particles dominated the samples, representing 97% of the MPs. These results underscore the potential for direct inhalation exposure in occupational settings, raising concerns about respiratory health risks for laundry staff and patients. Therefore, further research is needed to inform the development of stricter ventilation standards, occupational safety measures, and regulatory policies to mitigate microplastic emissions in healthcare environments.