1
|
Kek HY, Tan H, Othman MHD, Nyakuma BB, Ho WS, Sheng DDCV, Kang HS, Chan YT, Lim NHAS, Leng PC, Wahab NHA, Wong KY. Critical review on airborne microplastics: An indoor air contaminant of emerging concern. Environ Res 2024; 245:118055. [PMID: 38154562 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Airborne Microplastics (MPs), an emerging environmental issue, have gained recent attention due to their newfound presence in indoor environments. Utilizing the Web of Science database for literature collection, the paper presents a comprehensive review of airborne MPs including emission sources, assessment methods, exposure risks, and mitigation strategies. This review delves into the diverse sources and mechanisms influencing indoor airborne MP pollution, underscoring the complex interplay between human activities, ventilation systems, and the characteristics of indoor environments. Major sources include the abrasion of synthetic textiles and the deterioration of flooring materials, with factors like carpeting, airflow, and ventilation significantly impacting MP levels. Human activities, such as increased movement in indoor spaces and the intensive use of plastic-based personal protective equipment (PPE) post-pandemic, notably elevate indoor MP concentrations. The potential health impacts of airborne MPs are increasingly concerning, with evidence suggesting their role in respiratory, immune, and nervous system diseases. Despite this, there is a scarcity of information on MPs in diverse indoor environments and the inhalation risks associated with the frequent use of PPE. This review also stresses the importance of developing effective strategies to reduce MP emissions, such as employing HEPA-filtered vacuums, minimizing the use of synthetic textiles, and enhancing indoor ventilation. Several future research directions were proposed, including detailed temporal analyses of indoor MP levels, interactions of MP with other atmospheric pollutants, the transport dynamics of inhalable MPs (≤10 μm), and comprehensive human exposure risk assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yee Kek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Huiyi Tan
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Computing, Pen Resource University, P. M. B. 086, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
| | - Wai Shin Ho
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Hooi Siang Kang
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia; Marine Technology Centre, Institute for Vehicle System & Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Yoon Tung Chan
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Pau Chung Leng
- Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Keng Yinn Wong
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tan H, Mong GR, Wong SL, Wong KY, Sheng DDCV, Nyakuma BB, Othman MHD, Kek HY, Razis AFA, Wahab NHA, Wahab RA, Lee KQ, Chiong MC, Lee CH. Airborne microplastic/nanoplastic research: a comprehensive Web of Science (WoS) data-driven bibliometric analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024; 31:109-126. [PMID: 38040882 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the landscape of research on airborne microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) according to the bibliometric analysis of 147 documents issued between 2015 and 2021, extracted from the Web of Science database. The publications on airborne MPs/NPs have increased rapidly from 2015 onwards, which is largely due to the existence of funding support. Science of the Total Environment is one of the prominent journals in publishing related papers. China, England, the USA, and European Countries have produced a significant output of airborne MP/NP research works, which is associated with the availability of funding agencies regionally or nationally. The research hotspot on the topic ranges from the transport of airborne MPs/NPs to their deposition in the terrestrial or aquatic environments, along with the contamination of samples by indoor MPs/NPs. Most of the publications are either research or review papers related to MPs/NPs. It is crucial to share the understanding of global plastic pollution and its unfavorable effects on humankind by promoting awareness of the existence and impact of MPs/NPs. Funding agencies are vital in boosting the research development of airborne MPs/NPs. Some countries that are lacking funding support were able to publish research findings related to the field of interest, however, with lesser research output. Without sufficient fundings, some impactful publications may not be able to carry a substantial impact in sharing the findings and discoveries with the mass public.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiyi Tan
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Guo Ren Mong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Xiamen, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Syie Luing Wong
- Dpto. Matemática Aplicada, Ciencia e Ingeniería de Materiales y Tecnología Electrónica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Keng Yinn Wong
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
| | | | - Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Computing, Pen Resource University, P. M. B. 086, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
| | - Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Hong Yee Kek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Roswanira Abdul Wahab
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Kee Quen Lee
- Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Meng Choung Chiong
- Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chia Hau Lee
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|