Characterization of airborne microplastics at different workplaces of the poly(ethylene:propylene:diene) (EPDM) rubber industry

Article Environmental Sciences

Air conditioner filters become sinks and sources of indoor microplastics fibers

Yingxin Chen et al.

Summary: The study revealed the presence and accumulation of MPFs in indoor AC filters, indicating their potential impact on indoor air quality.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Characteristics and influencing factors of airborne microplastics in nail salons

En-Yu Chen et al.

Summary: Airborne microplastic particles (MPs) in nail salons have higher concentrations and are mainly composed of fragment-shaped acrylic. Factors such as air conditioner usage, plastic ceiling and flooring, and number of occupants influence the concentration of MPs.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Microplastic occurrence in settled indoor dust in schools

Mohammad Javad Nematollahi et al.

Summary: This study examined characteristics and human exposure of microplastics (MPs) in settled indoor dust in schools for the first time, finding white-transparent microfibres as the most abundant type, higher concentrations in the south and centre of the city, and a relatively high exposure risk for elementary school students.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Characterization of microplastics in indoor and ambient air in northern New Jersey

Ying Yao et al.

Summary: This study investigated the presence and characteristics of airborne microplastics in indoor and ambient air in New Jersey, United States. It found that residential houses are a major source of microplastic fibers, while classrooms have high deposition rates due to the use of plastic films.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Exposure to microplastics in the upper respiratory tract of indoor and outdoor workers

Ying Jiang et al.

Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of microplastics in the upper respiratory tracts of indoor and outdoor workers. Suspicious microplastics were found in the nasal lavage and sputum of both couriers and office staff, with significantly higher abundance in the nasal lavage of office staff. The predominant plastic materials varied between the two populations.

CHEMOSPHERE (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Emission of airborne microplastics from municipal solid waste transfer stations in downtown

Tianyu Hu et al.

Summary: With the progress of urbanization, municipal solid waste transfer stations have moved to residential areas as key points for garbage collection and transportation. This study analyzed the emission characteristics of airborne microplastic particles in Shanghai's waste transfer stations, finding that microplastics mainly exist as films and fibers, with Rayon being the dominant type. The study also discovered that odor treatment facilities effectively reduce the concentration of microplastic particles.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Polystyrene microplastic exposure induces insulin resistance in mice via dysbacteriosis and pro-inflammation

Dingjie Huang et al.

Summary: The study investigated the effects of polystyrene (PS) on insulin sensitivity in mice, suggesting that PS may induce insulin resistance through regulating gut microbiota and accumulation in tissues.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Effect of microplastics on nasal and intestinal microbiota of the high-exposure population

Xiyu Zhang et al.

Summary: This study is the first observational cross-sectional study focusing on the effects of microplastics on the nasal and gut microbiota in a highly exposed population. The results showed that the microplastic content in the high-exposure area was significantly higher than in the low-exposure area. High exposure may increase the abundance of nasal microbiotas associated with respiratory tract diseases and reduce the abundance of beneficial microbiotas. Simultaneously, it may increase the abundance of intestinal microbiotas associated with digestive tract diseases and reduce the abundance of beneficial intestinal microbiotas.

FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Inhalation toxicity of polystyrene micro(nano)plastics using modified OECD TG 412

Dongyoung Lim et al.

Summary: Through a 14-day inhalation exposure experiment on rats, significant alterations were observed on various physiological, hematological, and respiratory function markers under exposure to micro(nano)plastics. Additionally, an exposure concentration-dependent increase in inflammatory proteins in lung tissue was found. These results suggest that the health risks of inhalation-exposed micro(nano)plastics should not be overlooked, as molecular level alterations may lead to subsequent effects at higher levels.

CHEMOSPHERE (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

Suspended fine particulate matter (PM2.5), microplastics (MPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air: Their possible relationships and health implications

Razegheh Akhbarizadeh et al.

Summary: The study found that in the urban area of Bushehr port, PM2.5 and MPs may act as carriers for airborne MPs and PAHs, respectively, and the transport of MPs is highly controlled by atmospheric conditions. Petrogenic sources from both proximal and distal origins play an important role in the level of PAHs. Chronic health risk evaluation via inhalation revealed a high potential cancer risk for PM2.5-bound PAHs in winter.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

The impact of polystyrene microplastics on cardiomyocytes pyroptosis through NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway and oxidative stress in Wistar rats

Jialiu Wei et al.

Summary: The study revealed that exposure to microplastics can damage cardiac structure and function in Wistar rats, leading to oxidative stress, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and activation of inflammasomes in cardiac tissue. These findings suggest that pyroptosis plays a crucial role in microplastic-induced cardiotoxicity and may contribute to understanding the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction caused by microplastics.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Environmental Sciences

The Kidney-Related Effects of Polystyrene Microplastics on Human Kidney Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells HK-2 and Male C57BL/6 Mice

Yung-Li Wang et al.

Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effects of PS-MPs on kidney cells in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that PS-MPs caused mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, inflammation, and autophagy in kidney cells, and accumulated in both cells and mouse kidneys.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Engineering, Environmental

Detrimental effects of microplastic exposure on normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology

Kuo Lu et al.

Summary: Research indicates that exposure to microplastics has detrimental effects on the respiratory system in both healthy and asthmatic mice, causing inflammation, increased mucus production, and immune response disruption. Molecular mechanisms suggest that microplastics may modulate cellular stress and programmed cell death.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

Add to Collection

Article Engineering, Environmental

Airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments of a coastal city in Eastern China

Zhonglu Liao et al.

Summary: The study investigated the concentrations of airborne microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments in urban and rural areas of a coastal city in eastern China. The findings showed that indoor air had microplastic concentrations one order of magnitude higher than outdoor air, with urban areas having higher concentrations than rural areas. Airborne microplastics in the study were primarily fragments smaller than 100 μm in diameter.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

Add to Collection

Editorial Material Environmental Sciences

Nano- and microplastics in the workplace

Vladimir Murashov et al.

JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE (2021)

Add to Collection

Review Endocrinology & Metabolism

A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

Kurunthachalam Kannan et al.

Summary: Humans are ubiquitously exposed to microplastics through inhalation of particles in air and ingestion in water, dust, and diet. This exposure can lead to inflammation, immunological response, endocrine disruption, and other disorders. The size, shape, chemical composition, and other characteristics of microplastics influence their toxicity.

FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY (2021)

Add to Collection

Review Engineering, Environmental