Comparative Analysis of Indoor and Outdoor Particulate Matter Concentrations and Air Quality in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Exposure sources and pathways of micro- and nanoplastics in the environment, with emphasis on potential effects in humans: A systematic review

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that are ubiquitous in the environment, and may be a potential threat to human health. This review describes the MP exposure sources and pathways through drinking water, food intake, and air inhalation. The unregulated discharge of MPs in water sources and the absence of required MP filter technology in water treatment plants are important routes of MP exposure through drinking water. The presence of MPs in food may lead to the accumulation of MPs in the body. Exposure to MPs can occur through airborne fallout and dust inhalation in both indoor and outdoor environments. This review summarizes the MP exposure sources and possible pathways in the human body, and illustrates that the intake of drinking water, food consumption, and air inhalation should be assessed in during routine activities. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1422-1432. © 2023 SETAC.

Indoor air quality in day-care centres: a global review

A healthy indoor environment is critical for children due to the severe effect of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) on their overall well-being. Day-care centres (DCCs) are important indoor microenvironments for children apart from their homes. Therefore, monitoring IAQ in this microenvironment is vital because of the vulnerability of the occupants. This review gives a global overview of the predominant indoor chemical pollutant levels monitored in DCCs, compares their concentration with available regulations for IAQ, evaluates the sources and health risk effects of chemical pollutants and proposes strategies for enhancing IAQ in DCCs. Thirty-seven (37) articles were used based on specific stated inclusion and exclusion criteria. Continents like Europe and Asia have the most published studies in indoor DCCs. The decreasing trend of pollutants examined in most studies include particulate matter > carbon dioxide > formaldehyde > carbon monoxide > total volatile organic compounds > volatile organic compounds > nitrogen dioxide > ozone > benzene > sulphur dioxide = radon. Particulate matter in the size and mass concentration range of PM₁₀ (0.116-1920.71 μg/m³) > PM_2.5 (0.279.2-260.74 μg/m³) was the most investigated pollutant. While nitrogen dioxide, radon and carbon monoxide were consistent with the existing national and international reference values for IAQ across the continents, exceedances occurred in other pollutants. The limited number of indoor chemical pollutant studies suggests the need for more comprehensive studies on IAQ in DCC globally. Further studies should highlight the availability of low-cost sensors and mobile analytical equipment that will promote affordable ground-level data accessibility.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01320-5.