Atmospheric Microplastics: Perspectives on Origin, Abundances, Ecological and Health Risks

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2023-10, Vol.30 (49), p.107435-107464
• Main Authors: Gupta, Shivali, Kumar, Rakesh, Rajput, Akanksha, Gorka, Ruby, Gupta, Antima, Bhasin, Nazuk, Yadav, Sudesh, Verma, Anju, Ram, Kirpa, Bhagat, Madulika
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air monitoring; Air quality; Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Availability; Cytotoxicity; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecosystems; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Health risks; Indoor air pollution; Inhalation; Marine ecosystems; Marine environment; Microplastic Pollutants in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environment; Microplastics; Neurotoxicity; Outdoor air quality; Plastic debris; Plastic pollution; Pollution; Respiration; Respiratory function; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28422-y

Microplastic (MP) pollution has aroused a tremendous amount of public and scientific interest worldwide. MPs are found widely ranging from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems primarily due to the over-exploitation of plastic products and unscientific disposal of plastic waste. There is a large availability of scientific literature on MP pollution in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, especially the marine environments; however, only recently has greater scientific attention been focused on the presence of MPs in the air and its retrospective health implications. Besides, atmospheric transport has been reported to be an important pathway of transport of MPs to the pristine regions of the world. From a health perspective, existing studies suggest that airborne MPs are priority pollutant vectors, that may penetrate deep into the body through inhalation leading to adverse health impacts such as neurotoxicity, cancer, respiratory problems, cytotoxicity, and many more. However, their effects on indoor and outdoor air quality, and on human health are not yet clearly understood due to the lack of enough research studies on that and the non-availability of established scientific protocols for their characterization. This scientific review entails important information concerning the abundance of atmospheric MPs worldwide within the existing literature. A thorough comparison of existing sampling and analytical protocols has been presented. Besides, this review has unveiled the areas of scientific concern especially air quality monitoring which requires immediate attention, with the information gaps to be filled have been addressed.