Microplastics as an emerging source of particulate air pollution: A critical review

Accumulation of plastic litter exerts pressure on the environment. Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a universal challenge due to the overexploitation of plastic products and unsystematic dumping of plastic waste. Initial studies on MPs and their implications had been confined to aquatic and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 418; p. 126245
Main Authors: Sridharan, Srinidhi, Kumar, Manish, Singh, Lal, Bolan, Nanthi S., Saha, Mahua
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier B.V 15.09.2021
Subjects:
air
air pollution
air quality
Air quality index
Atmospheric fallout
canopy
Human health
industry
Microplastic
microplastics
occupational health and safety
Particulate matter
particulates
wastes
PP
PCBs
Human health
PS
Atmospheric fallout
MR
PUR
Microplastic
NPs
MPs
PA
PTT
PC
Air quality index
PE
Particulate matter
AQI
PAHs
MFs
PVC
PAN
PM
PET
WHO
ISSN:0304-3894, 1873-3336, 1873-3336
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Accumulation of plastic litter exerts pressure on the environment. Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a universal challenge due to the overexploitation of plastic products and unsystematic dumping of plastic waste. Initial studies on MPs and their implications had been confined to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but recent research has also focused on MPs in the air. Their impacts on urban air quality and atmospheric transport to pristine habitats have emerged to be a serious concern. However, the extent and the significance of impacts of airborne particulate matter (PM) MPs on human health are not clearly understood. Further, the influence of airborne MPs on indoor and outdoor air quality remains unknown. We highlight the human health impacts of airborne PM-MPs with a special focus on the occupational safety of the industry workers, their possible influence on Air Quality Index (AQI), their potential exposure, and accumulation in the canopy/arboreal, above-canopy and atmospheric (aerial) habitats. The present review emphasizes the data limitations and knowledge gaps on the atmospheric transport and contribution of particulate plastics to the worsening of overall urban air quality and throws critical perspectives on whether atmospheric MPs pollution is trivial or an actual matter of concern. [Display omitted] •Canopy and emergent layer ecosystems are highly vulnerable to airborne microplastics.•No datum on the influence of microplastics on the visibility and air quality index.•Airborne microplastics may contribute to the overall particulate matter pollution.•Extensive studies on the occupational hazards of inhalable microplastics are needed.•Possible airborne transmission of COVID-19 by microplastics demands research.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0304-3894
1873-3336
1873-3336
DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126245