Airborne Microplastics: Another Threatening to Our Health
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Published
Apr 30, 2025
Abstract
The omnipresence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised global concern, particularly as these particles become airborne and infiltrate the human respiratory system. This review explores the emerging evidence on airborne microplastics (AMPs), focusing on their sources, atmospheric dynamics, inhalation exposure pathways, and potential health effects. Drawing on studies from environmental science, toxicology, and public health, the review outlines the physicochemical properties of airborne MPs that influence their biological interactions. Particular attention is given to pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and the role of particle size in deep lung penetration. Evidence linking MPs with chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions is examined. Furthermore, the article discusses detection challenges, the need for standardized measurement protocols, and policy efforts aimed at mitigating human exposure. In conclusion, while scientific understanding is still evolving, airborne microplastics pose a credible threat to human health, warranting urgent interdisciplinary research and regulatory attention.
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Keywords
Airborne Microplastics, Respiratory Health, Environmental Toxicology, Oxidative Stress, Public Health, Particle Inhalation
Supporting Agencies
No funding source declared.
References
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Alnuqaydan, A. M. (2024). The dark side of beauty: an in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products. Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1439027
Anderson, J. M., Rodriguez, A., & Chang, D. T. (2008). Foreign body reaction to biomaterials. Seminars in Immunology, 20(2), 86–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smim.2007.11.004
Carriera, F., Di Fiore, C., & Avino, P. (2024). Occurrence of microplastics in the atmosphere: An overview on sources, analytical challenges, and human health effects. Atmosphere, 15(7), 863. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070863
Cheng, M. (2018). Selective collection of airborne particulate matter. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 18(6), 1361–1365. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2018.02.0076
Covernton, G. A., Davies, H. L., Cox, K. D., El-Sabaawi, R., Juanes, F., Dudas, S. E., & Dower, J. F. (2021). A Bayesian analysis of the factors determining microplastics ingestion in fishes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 413, 125405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125405
De Souza Machado, A. A., Lau, C. W., Kloas, W., Bergmann, J., Bachelier, J. B., Faltin, E., Becker, R., Görlich, A. S., & Rillig, M. C. (2019). Microplastics can change soil properties and affect plant performance. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(10), 6044–6052. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01339
Dissanayake, P. D., Kim, S., Sarkar, B., Oleszczuk, P., Sang, M. K., Haque, M. N., Ahn, J. H., Bank, M. S., & Ok, Y. S. (2022). Effects of microplastics on the terrestrial environment: A critical review. Environmental Research, 209, 112734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112734
Facciolà, A., Visalli, G., Ciarello, M. P., & Di Pietro, A. (2021). Newly emerging airborne pollutants: Current knowledge of health impact of micro and nanoplastics. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2997. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062997
Ferrante, M. C., Monnolo, A., Del Piano, F., Raso, G. M., & Meli, R. (2022). The pressing issue of micro- and nanoplastic contamination: profiling the reproductive alterations mediated by oxidative stress. Antioxidants, 11(2), 193. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020193
Gasperi, J., Wright, S. L., Dris, R., Collard, F., Mandin, C., Guerrouache, M., Langlois, V., Kelly, F. J., & Tassin, B. (2017). Microplastics in air: Are we breathing it in? Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 1, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2017.10.002
Goodman, R. S., Mittal, L., & Parker, E. R. (2023). Public health risks, dermatological manifestations, and environmental Justice associated with vinyl chloride exposure: Narrative review. JMIR Dermatology, 6, e48998. https://doi.org/10.2196/48998
Goswami, S., Adhikary, S., Bhattacharya, S., Agarwal, R., Ganguly, A., Nanda, S., & Rajak, P. (2024). The alarming link between environmental microplastics and health hazards with special emphasis on cancer. Life Sciences, 355, 122937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122937
Guo, S., Wang, Q., Li, Z., Chen, Y., Li, H., Zhang, J., Wang, X., Liu, J., Cao, B., Zou, G., Zhang, B., & Zhao, M. (2023). Ecological risk of microplastic toxicity to earthworms in soil: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1126847
Hettiarachchi, H., & Meegoda, J. N. (2023). Microplastic Pollution Prevention: The need for robust policy interventions to close the loopholes in current waste management practices. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6434. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146434
Is, B., M, K., Am, E., & Rh, E. R. (2017). Assessment and measurement of atmospheric pollution (Particulate matter) around Zawiya City-Libya. Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology, 07(04). https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0525.1000473
Knobloch, E., Ruffell, H., Aves, A., Pantos, O., Gaw, S., & Revell, L. E. (2021). Comparison of deposition sampling methods to collect airborne microplastics in Christchurch, New Zealand. Water Air & Soil Pollution, 232(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05080-9
Kumar, V., & Garg, N. (2021). National and regional waste stream in the United States: conformance and disparity. Environmental Research Infrastructure and Sustainability, 1(3), 031002. https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ac36bd
Kurt, O. K., Zhang, J., & Pinkerton, K. E. (2016). Pulmonary health effects of air pollution. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, 22(2), 138–143. https://doi.org/10.1097/mcp.0000000000000248
López, A. P. A., Trilleras, J., Arana, V. A., Garcia-Alzate, L. S., & Grande-Tovar, C. D. (2023). Atmospheric microplastics: exposure, toxicity, and detrimental health effects. RSC Advances, 13(11), 7468–7489. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra07098g
Lv, X., Xiao, S., Zhang, G., Jiang, P., & Tang, F. (2016). Occurrence and removal of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in the water treatment processes. Scientific Reports, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep22860
Nalugya, A., Kiguli, J., Wafula, S. T., Nuwematsiko, R., Mugambe, R. K., Oputan, P., Tigaiza, A., Isunju, J. B., & Ssekamatte, T. (2022). Knowledge, attitude and practices related to the use of personal protective equipment among welders in small-scale metal workshops in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 10(1), 731–747. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2022.2106987
Napieraj, N., Janicka, M., & Reda, M. (2023). Interactions of polyamines and phytohormones in plant response to abiotic stress. Plants, 12(5), 1159. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051159
Peng, J., Chen, C., Zhou, M., Xie, X., Zhou, Y., & Luo, C. (2020). A Machine-learning Approach to Forecast Aggravation Risk in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Clinical Indicators. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60042-1
Prendergast-Miller, M. T., Katsiamides, A., Abbass, M., Sturzenbaum, S. R., Thorpe, K. L., & Hodson, M. E. (2019). Polyester-derived microfibre impacts on the soil-dwelling earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. Environmental Pollution, 251, 453–459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.037
Saboor, F. H., Hadian-Ghazvini, S., & Torkashvand, M. (2022). Microplastics in Aquatic environments: Recent advances in separation techniques. Periodica Polytechnica Chemical Engineering, 66(2), 167–181. https://doi.org/10.3311/ppch.18930
Saha, S. C., & Saha, G. (2024). Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways: A review with computational benefits and challenges. Heliyon, 10(2), e24355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24355
Shaddick, G., Thomas, M. L., Mudu, P., Ruggeri, G., & Gumy, S. (2020). Half the world’s population are exposed to increasing air pollution. Npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-020-0124-2
Sheraz, M., Kim, J., & Kim, J. (2023). Nano/microplastics in indoor air: A critical review of synthesis routes for toxicity testing and preventative measure strategies. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 180, 274–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.10.002
Son, C. E., & Choi, S. (2022). Preparation and characterization of model Tire–Road wear particles. Polymers, 14(8), 1512. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14081512
Sripada, K., Wierzbicka, A., Abass, K., Grimalt, J. O., Erbe, A., Röllin, H. B., Weihe, P., Díaz, G. J., Singh, R. R., Visnes, T., Rautio, A., Odland, J. Ø., & Wagner, M. (2022). A Children’s health perspective on nano- and microplastics. Environmental Health Perspectives, 130(1). https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp9086
Alnuqaydan, A. M. (2024). The dark side of beauty: an in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products. Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1439027
Anderson, J. M., Rodriguez, A., & Chang, D. T. (2008). Foreign body reaction to biomaterials. Seminars in Immunology, 20(2), 86–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smim.2007.11.004
Carriera, F., Di Fiore, C., & Avino, P. (2024). Occurrence of microplastics in the atmosphere: An overview on sources, analytical challenges, and human health effects. Atmosphere, 15(7), 863. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15070863
Cheng, M. (2018). Selective collection of airborne particulate matter. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 18(6), 1361–1365. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2018.02.0076
Covernton, G. A., Davies, H. L., Cox, K. D., El-Sabaawi, R., Juanes, F., Dudas, S. E., & Dower, J. F. (2021). A Bayesian analysis of the factors determining microplastics ingestion in fishes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 413, 125405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125405
De Souza Machado, A. A., Lau, C. W., Kloas, W., Bergmann, J., Bachelier, J. B., Faltin, E., Becker, R., Görlich, A. S., & Rillig, M. C. (2019). Microplastics can change soil properties and affect plant performance. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(10), 6044–6052. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01339
Dissanayake, P. D., Kim, S., Sarkar, B., Oleszczuk, P., Sang, M. K., Haque, M. N., Ahn, J. H., Bank, M. S., & Ok, Y. S. (2022). Effects of microplastics on the terrestrial environment: A critical review. Environmental Research, 209, 112734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112734
Facciolà, A., Visalli, G., Ciarello, M. P., & Di Pietro, A. (2021). Newly emerging airborne pollutants: Current knowledge of health impact of micro and nanoplastics. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2997. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062997
Ferrante, M. C., Monnolo, A., Del Piano, F., Raso, G. M., & Meli, R. (2022). The pressing issue of micro- and nanoplastic contamination: profiling the reproductive alterations mediated by oxidative stress. Antioxidants, 11(2), 193. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020193
Gasperi, J., Wright, S. L., Dris, R., Collard, F., Mandin, C., Guerrouache, M., Langlois, V., Kelly, F. J., & Tassin, B. (2017). Microplastics in air: Are we breathing it in? Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 1, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2017.10.002
Goodman, R. S., Mittal, L., & Parker, E. R. (2023). Public health risks, dermatological manifestations, and environmental Justice associated with vinyl chloride exposure: Narrative review. JMIR Dermatology, 6, e48998. https://doi.org/10.2196/48998
Goswami, S., Adhikary, S., Bhattacharya, S., Agarwal, R., Ganguly, A., Nanda, S., & Rajak, P. (2024). The alarming link between environmental microplastics and health hazards with special emphasis on cancer. Life Sciences, 355, 122937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122937
Guo, S., Wang, Q., Li, Z., Chen, Y., Li, H., Zhang, J., Wang, X., Liu, J., Cao, B., Zou, G., Zhang, B., & Zhao, M. (2023). Ecological risk of microplastic toxicity to earthworms in soil: A bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1126847
Hettiarachchi, H., & Meegoda, J. N. (2023). Microplastic Pollution Prevention: The need for robust policy interventions to close the loopholes in current waste management practices. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(14), 6434. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146434
Is, B., M, K., Am, E., & Rh, E. R. (2017). Assessment and measurement of atmospheric pollution (Particulate matter) around Zawiya City-Libya. Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology, 07(04). https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0525.1000473
Knobloch, E., Ruffell, H., Aves, A., Pantos, O., Gaw, S., & Revell, L. E. (2021). Comparison of deposition sampling methods to collect airborne microplastics in Christchurch, New Zealand. Water Air & Soil Pollution, 232(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05080-9
Kumar, V., & Garg, N. (2021). National and regional waste stream in the United States: conformance and disparity. Environmental Research Infrastructure and Sustainability, 1(3), 031002. https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ac36bd
Kurt, O. K., Zhang, J., & Pinkerton, K. E. (2016). Pulmonary health effects of air pollution. Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, 22(2), 138–143. https://doi.org/10.1097/mcp.0000000000000248
López, A. P. A., Trilleras, J., Arana, V. A., Garcia-Alzate, L. S., & Grande-Tovar, C. D. (2023). Atmospheric microplastics: exposure, toxicity, and detrimental health effects. RSC Advances, 13(11), 7468–7489. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra07098g
Lv, X., Xiao, S., Zhang, G., Jiang, P., & Tang, F. (2016). Occurrence and removal of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in the water treatment processes. Scientific Reports, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep22860
Nalugya, A., Kiguli, J., Wafula, S. T., Nuwematsiko, R., Mugambe, R. K., Oputan, P., Tigaiza, A., Isunju, J. B., & Ssekamatte, T. (2022). Knowledge, attitude and practices related to the use of personal protective equipment among welders in small-scale metal workshops in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 10(1), 731–747. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2022.2106987
Napieraj, N., Janicka, M., & Reda, M. (2023). Interactions of polyamines and phytohormones in plant response to abiotic stress. Plants, 12(5), 1159. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051159
Peng, J., Chen, C., Zhou, M., Xie, X., Zhou, Y., & Luo, C. (2020). A Machine-learning Approach to Forecast Aggravation Risk in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Clinical Indicators. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60042-1
Prendergast-Miller, M. T., Katsiamides, A., Abbass, M., Sturzenbaum, S. R., Thorpe, K. L., & Hodson, M. E. (2019). Polyester-derived microfibre impacts on the soil-dwelling earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. Environmental Pollution, 251, 453–459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.037
Saboor, F. H., Hadian-Ghazvini, S., & Torkashvand, M. (2022). Microplastics in Aquatic environments: Recent advances in separation techniques. Periodica Polytechnica Chemical Engineering, 66(2), 167–181. https://doi.org/10.3311/ppch.18930
Saha, S. C., & Saha, G. (2024). Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways: A review with computational benefits and challenges. Heliyon, 10(2), e24355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24355
Shaddick, G., Thomas, M. L., Mudu, P., Ruggeri, G., & Gumy, S. (2020). Half the world’s population are exposed to increasing air pollution. Npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-020-0124-2
Sheraz, M., Kim, J., & Kim, J. (2023). Nano/microplastics in indoor air: A critical review of synthesis routes for toxicity testing and preventative measure strategies. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 180, 274–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.10.002
Son, C. E., & Choi, S. (2022). Preparation and characterization of model Tire–Road wear particles. Polymers, 14(8), 1512. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14081512
Sripada, K., Wierzbicka, A., Abass, K., Grimalt, J. O., Erbe, A., Röllin, H. B., Weihe, P., Díaz, G. J., Singh, R. R., Visnes, T., Rautio, A., Odland, J. Ø., & Wagner, M. (2022). A Children’s health perspective on nano- and microplastics. Environmental Health Perspectives, 130(1). https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp9086
How to Cite
Gill, H. (2025). Airborne Microplastics: Another Threatening to Our Health. Science Insights, 46(4), 1805–1811. https://doi.org/10.15354/si.25.re1171
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