Airborne Microplastics in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of a Developing Country in South Asia: Abundance, Distribution, Morphology, and Possible Sources
File version
Accepted Manuscript (AM)
Author(s)
Ziajahromi, Shima
Bengtson Nash, Susan
Manage, Pathmalal M
Leusch, Frederic DL
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract
Airborne microplastics (AMPs) have been reported in indoor and outdoor air in high-income countries and are expected to be a significant contributor to daily microplastic (MP) exposure for human beings. To date, there are only a handful of studies in lower-middle-income countries. In this study, AMPs from 5000 to 50 μm were sampled across selected areas of Sri Lanka using an active sampling technique. Suspected AMPs were further characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MP concentrations were higher indoors compared to outdoor air (0.13-0.93, compared to 0.00-0.23 particles/m3, respectively). The types of indoor MPs were related to indoor-generating sources, and the occupant's lifestyles. The highest outdoor MP abundance was found near an industrial zone, followed by urban and inland locations in high-density areas. The dominant size range of MPs was 100-300 μm, and the only shapes observed indoors and outdoors were fibers (98%) and fragments. Polyethylene terephthalate was the most prominent MP type, followed by polyester, indicating that textile fibers could be the major source of these AMPs. This study provides the first report on AMPs in Sri Lanka. Considering population growth and industrialization, further research should evaluate possible trends and health risks upon inhalation.
Journal Title
Environmental Science & Technology
Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
56
Issue
23
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
This document is the Postprint: Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Environmental Science & Technology, © 2022 American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.2c05885
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject
Pollution and contamination
Macromolecular materials
South Asia
Sri Lanka
atmosphere
developing country
microplastics
Persistent link to this record
Citation
Perera, K; Ziajahromi, S; Bengtson Nash, S; Manage, PM; Leusch, FDL, Airborne Microplastics in Indoor and Outdoor Environments of a Developing Country in South Asia: Abundance, Distribution, Morphology, and Possible Sources, Environmental Science & Technology, 2022, 56 (23), pp. 16676-16685