Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin

TLDR

Humans can be exposed to microplastics through food, drink, and air, yet airborne exposure remains poorly understood. This study investigates indoor airborne microplastic exposure using a Breathing Thermal Manikin. Three apartments were sampled and analyzed with FPA‑µFTIR imaging down to 11 µm particle size. All samples contained 1.7–16.2 microplastic particles m⁻³, mainly polyester (81 %), with synthetic fragments/fibres 4 % and nonsynthetic protein and cellulose 91 % and 4 %, respectively, indicating potential inhalation exposure.

Abstract

Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through food, drink, and air. The first two pathways have received quite some scientific attention, while little is known about the latter. We address the exposure of humans to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin. Three apartments were investigated, and samples analysed through FPA-µFTIR-Imaging spectroscopy followed by automatic analyses down to 11 µm particle size. All samples were contaminated with microplastics, with concentrations between 1.7 and 16.2 particles m-3. Synthetic fragments and fibres accounted, on average, for 4% of the total identified particles, while nonsynthetic particles of protein and cellulose constituted 91% and 4%, respectively. Polyester was the predominant synthetic polymer in all samples (81%), followed by polyethylene (5%), and nylon (3%). Microplastics were typically of smaller size than nonsynthetic particles. As the identified microplastics can be inhaled, these results highlight the potential direct human exposure to microplastic contamination via indoor air.