Plastic Burning Impacts on Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter at Urban and Rural Sites in the USA and Bangladesh

Abstract

To better understand the impact of plastic burning on atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), we evaluated two methods for the quantification of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene (TPB), a molecular tracer of plastic burning. Compared to traditional solvent-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) techniques, thermal-desorption (TD) GCMS provided higher throughput, lower limits of detection, more precise spike recoveries, a wider linear quantification range, and reduced solvent use. This method enabled quantification of TPB in fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) samples collected at rural and urban sites in the USA and Bangladesh. These analyses demonstrated a measurable impact of plastic burning at 5 of the 6 study locations, with the largest absolute and relative TPB concentrations occurring in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where plastic burning is expected to be a significant source of PM 2.5 . Background-level contributions of plastic burning in the USA were estimated to be 0.004−0.03 μg m −3 of PM 2.5 mass. Across the four sites in the USA, the lower estimate of plastic burning contributions to PM 2.5 ranged 0.04−0.8%, while the median estimate ranged 0.3−3% (save for Atlanta, Georgia, in the wintertime at 2−7%). The results demonstrate a consistent presence of plastic burning emissions in ambient PM 2.5 across urban and rural sites in the USA, with a relatively small impact in comparison to other anthropogenic combustion sources in most cases. Much higher TPB concentrations were observed in Dhaka, with estimated plastic burning impacts on PM 2.5 ranging from a lower estimate of 0.3−1.8 μg m −3 (0.6−2% of PM 2.5 ) and the median estimate ranging 2−35 μg m −3 (5−15% of PM 2.5 ). The methodological advances and new measurements presented herein help to assess the air quality impacts of burning plastic more broadly.

Ambient PM2.5 Temporal Variation and Source Apportionment in Mbarara, Uganda

“…While it is plausible that both lake salt and sea spray contribute to PM2.5 in Mbarara, this source has relatively little Na present. Alternatively, the presence of Cl may suggest that this source represents plastics-containing trash burning (Hodzic et al, 2012;Li et al, 2012;Saikawa et al, 2020;Islam et al, 2022). Plastics are a major source of waste generated in household and commercial settings in Uganda, particularly as ongoing urbanization results in increased use of plastics, and plastics are frequently disposed of via burning (Nuwagaba and Namateefu, 2013;Mukama et al, 2016).…”

Comprehensive Analysis of Organic Micropollutants in Fine Particulate Matter in Hanoi Metropolitan Area, Vietnam

“…Moreover, di-iso-butyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate were detected in all 30 samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.10 to 19.88 ng.m −3 (median: 1.69 ng.m −3 ). These compounds are commonly used in Vietnam to plasticize products [37]. The processing, use, and disposal of plastic products are the main source of phthalates in PM 2.5 .…”