Source and potential risk assessment of suspended atmospheric microplastics in Shanghai

Liu, Kai; Wang, Xiaohui; Fang, Tao; Xu, Pei; Zhu, Lixin; Li, Daoji

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.110

Cited by 650 publications

(331 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Microplastic deposition was greater at urban than suburban sites. K. Liu, Wang, et al () reported slightly higher airborne microplastics levels for Shanghai. They observed that fibers constituted 67% of microplastics observed and estimated that Shanghai residents inhaled about 21 microplastic particles day −1 .…”

Section: Microplastics In the Indoor And Terrestrial Environmentmentioning

confidence: 97%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

667

270

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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Section: Microplastics In the Indoor And Terrestrial Environmentmentioning

confidence: 97%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

667

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There are many studies available on air pollution regarding suspended particulate matter (SPM), but concerning the presence of suspended microplastics in air has gained little attention. Limited evidence is available on the transport of microplastics in air [1,14,28,29,86,100,200]. These studies have identified fibrous microplastics ( Fig.…”

Section: Airmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic–toxic chemical interaction: a review study on quantified levels, mechanism and implication

et al. 2019

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Current problem facing researchers globally is microplastics as well as toxic chemical pollution of the ecosystem. Microplastics carry toxic chemicals in the ecosystem serving as a vector for transport. In this study, a review of the literature has been conducted with the following objectives: (1) to summarize the concentrations of toxic chemicals such heavy metals and hydrophobic organic contaminants sorped on microplastics; (2) to evaluate their spatial distribution regarding adsorbed contaminant; (3) to discuss plausible mechanism by which microplastics adsorp or desorp toxic chemicals in the environment; (4) to discuss implications of their occurrence in air, water and soil media; and (5) to discuss the impact of ingested microplastics to human health. Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Concentrations of sorped toxic chemical varied by location which represents a local problem; industrialized areas (especially areas experiencing crude oil-related activities or have history of crude oil pollution) have higher concentrations than less industrialized areas. Ingestion of microplastics has been demonstrated in a range of marine and soil organisms as well as edible plants, thus possibly contaminating the base of the food web. Potential health effect to human is by particle localization, chemical toxicity and microbial toxins. We conclude by highlighting the gap in knowledge and suggesting key future areas of research for scientists and policymakers.

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“…One shortcoming in the reviewed studies is the lack of appropriate reporting of the number or percentage of samples subjected to chemical identification. Only two studies reported to have subjected all suspected microplastics and microfibers to chemical identification (Allen et al 2019;Liu et al 2019a). This is a problem because identification is only being conducted by visual inspection, which is prone to errors.…”

Section: Developments and Limitations Of Sampling Methodologies For Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The flow varies from 8 (Dris et al 2017) to 300 L min À1 (Kaya et al 2018), in periods ranging from 1 (Liu et al 2019a) to 24 h (Gasperi et al 2015) and air volumes of 2 (Dris et al 2017) to 6 m 3 (Liu et al 2019a). Sampling heights vary from 1.1 (Vianello et al 2019) to 1.7 m (Liu et al 2019a) in suspended particles, with the heights of 0.3 and 1.2 m being recommended by representing the breathing height of infants and adults, respectively (Noguchi et al 2016). Sampling volumes and heights can influence concentrations and characteristics of microplastics due to their heterogeneous distribution in space and time.…”

Section: Developments and Limitations Of Sampling Methodologies For Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Filters were observed directly under the stereomicroscope, reporting a lower limit of 50 μm (Dris et al 2017;Liu et al 2019b). Samples were then sent to ATR-FTIR (Dris et al 2017), in the case of larger particles able to be picked up with tweezers and to cover the crystal, or sent to the μFTIR (Liu et al 2019a), allowing characterization of smaller particles. On the other hand, Vianello et al (2019) used a Breathing Thermal Manikin to simulate real human breathing conditions, including loss of body heat.…”

Section: Developments and Limitations Of Sampling Methodologies For Amentioning

confidence: 99%

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