Airborne microplastic emissions from synthetic sports surfaces and associated health risks to children

Synthetic urban surfaces, such as synthetic tracks and artificial turf, are increasingly recognised as sources of airborne microplastic (AMP) emissions in school environments, raising environmental and public health concerns. Children face heightened vulnerability due to their physiology and activity patterns, yet research specifically addressing AMP generation, distribution, and child-specific health implications in school contexts remains limited. Additionally, AMPs can also carry hazardous substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors, posing combined health risks that remain largely overlooked in current child exposure assessments. This review synthesises evidence from 2015 to June 2025, highlighting mechanistic evidence linking inhaled AMPs to oxidative stress, inflammation, and systemic health effects, and underscoring children's enhanced susceptibility. It also critically evaluates existing knowledge on AMP emission mechanisms from synthetic sports surfaces, identifies distinctive environmental pathways and spatiotemporal distribution patterns within school settings, and addresses methodological limitations in current exposure monitoring and modelling frameworks. Drawing on recent regulatory developments, such as EU restrictions on intentionally added microplastics, this work outlines science-based strategies for targeted risk mapping, source control, maintenance practices, and child-centred environmental design in educational infrastructure. By shifting focus from predominantly urban- and traffic-oriented studies to the underexplored micro-scale of school campuses and synthetic sports surfaces, this review complements broader urban research while bridging key knowledge gaps, providing a foundation for future research, evidence-based policymaking, and practical measures to safeguard children's health.