Outdoor Atmospheric Microplastics within the Humber Region (United Kingdom): Quantification and Chemical Characterisation of Deposited Particles Present

Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been consistently captured within air samples on a global scale. Locations with high human activity are reported to have high MP levels. An urban sampling site in the Humber region (U.K.) has been sampled over a 13-month period, providing a seasonal variation profile of MP levels, size, shape, and polymer types that humans are exposed to. Mean MP levels, measured using passive fallout into a container, were 3055 +/- 5072 MP m(-2) day(-1) (1164 median). An increase in levels with a decrease in MP size was observed, consisting of mainly film-shaped MPs (67%) that were polyethylene (31%) and nylon (28%) polymer types. No relationship between rainfall and MP fallout levels was observed. In parallel, MPs within five urbanised locations relevant to human exposure were characterised over a 2-week period. An overall MP mean (and standard deviation) of 1500 +/- 1279 was observed (1012 median), from which petroleum resin accounted for 32% of MP polymer type, with a higher prevalence within industrial and roadside zones. These comprised mainly fragment (52%) and film (42%) shapes, and the MPs levels increased with decreasing particle size. The results provide novel information on characterising polymer levels and types, and can inform cellular toxicity studies, investigating the consequences of human MP exposure.

Automated summary

Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been consistently found in air samples globally, with higher levels in areas with high human activity. A study in the Humber region of the UK showed that MP levels increased with decreasing particle size, mainly consisting of film-shaped MPs made of polyethylene and nylon. In urbanized areas relevant to human exposure, MPs levels also increased with decreasing particle size, with petroleum resin being the predominant polymer type.