Up to 1,300 microplastic particles per square metre per day: global study reveals alarming levels of air pollution.
An international study led by the Eurofins Environment Testing microplastics peer group uncovers the extent of microplastic contamination in the air across three continents.
Up to 1,300 microplastic particles per square metre per day: global study reveals alarming levels of air pollution.
An international study led by the Eurofins Environment Testing microplastics peer group uncovers the extent of microplastic contamination in the air across three continents.
Up to 1,300 microplastic particles per square metre per day: global study reveals alarming levels of air pollution.
An international study led by the Eurofins Environment Testing microplastics peer group uncovers the extent of microplastic contamination in the air across three continents.
WE MEASURED MICROPLASTICS IN THE AIR!
3 continents, 9 countries, 12 locations.
A GLOBAL STUDY.
WE MEASURED MICROPLASTICS IN THE AIR!
3 CONTINENTS, 9 COUNTRIES, 12 LOCATIONS.
A GLOBAL STUDY.
WE MEASURED MICROPLASTICS!
3 continents, 9 countries, 12 locations.
A GLOBAL STUDY.
THE PROBLEM
- The presence of microplastics in the atmosphere is still poorly understood.
- Microplastics are transported globally by air currents.
- Harmonised sampling and analytical methodologies are lacking.
MAIN QUESTIONS
- How much microplastic is present in the air, and how does this vary globally?
- What are the dominant polymer types detected?
- What size ranges of microplastics are most common?
- Which sampling techniques are most effective?
THE ANSWERS
- A globally harmonised wet–dry deposition sampling method was applied.
- Maximum deposition rates reached 1,253 particles·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (particle-based) and 3.1 mg·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (mass-based).
- Results revealed substantial heterogeneity in airborne microplastic deposition across sites.
- The most commonly identified polymers were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
- 91% of detected particles were smaller than 100 µm, highlighting the prevalence of breathable microplastics in the atmosphere.
THE PROBLEM
- The presence of microplastics in the atmosphere is still poorly understood.
- Microplastics are transported globally by air currents.
- Harmonised sampling and analytical methodologies are lacking.
MAIN QUESTIONS
- How much microplastic is present in the air, and how does this vary globally?
- What are the dominant polymer types detected?
- What size ranges of microplastics are most common?
- Which sampling techniques are most effective?
THE ANSWERS
- A globally harmonised wet–dry deposition sampling method was applied.
- Maximum deposition rates reached 1,253 particles·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (particle-based) and 3.1 mg·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (mass-based).
- Results revealed substantial heterogeneity in airborne microplastic deposition across sites.
- The most commonly identified polymers were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
- 91% of detected particles were smaller than 100 µm, highlighting the prevalence of breathable microplastics in the atmosphere.
THE PROBLEM
- The presence of microplastics in the atmosphere is still poorly understood.
- Microplastics are transported globally by air currents.
- Harmonised sampling and analytical methodologies are lacking.
MAIN QUESTIONS
- How much microplastic is present in the air, and how does this vary globally?
- What are the dominant polymer types detected?
- What size ranges of microplastics are most common?
- Which sampling techniques are most effective?
THE ANSWERS
- A globally harmonised wet–dry deposition sampling method was applied.
- Maximum deposition rates reached 1,253 particles·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (particle-based) and 3.1 mg·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (mass-based).
- Results revealed substantial heterogeneity in airborne microplastic deposition across sites.
- The most commonly identified polymers were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
- 91% of detected particles were smaller than 100 µm, highlighting the prevalence of breathable microplastics in the atmosphere.
LOCATIONS
LOCATIONS
Melbourne. Australia
Melbourne. Australia
Microplastics - Melbourne.
Budapest. Hungary.
Budapest. Hungary.
Microplastic - Budapest.
Bergen. Norway.
Bergen. Norway.
Microplastics - Bergen.
Alta. Norway.
Alta. Norway.
Aabybro. Denmark
Aabybro. Denmark
Microplastics - Aabybro.
Rovaniemi. Finland.
Rovaniemi. Finland.
Pelkosenniemi. Finland.
Pelkosenniemi. Finland.
Barneveld. Netherlands.
Barneveld. Netherlands.
Gijon. Spain.
Gijon. Spain.
Northampton. United Kingdom.
Northampton. United Kingdom.
Microplastics - Northampton.
South Bend. US.
South Bend. US.
Sacramento. US.
Sacramento. US.