Airborne microplastics and plastic additives in a school environment: identification, quantification, and associated inhalation risks

IF 9.7 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environment International Pub Date : 2025-09-01 DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109753

Ana Torres-Agullo , Angeliki Karanasiou , Isabella Charres , Célia Alves , Silvia Lacorte

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Indoor and outdoor air pollution is related to adverse human health effects, especially in children due to their ongoing physical development. This study assesses airborne microplastics (MP) concentrations and associated inhalation risks in a school in Estarreja, Portugal, near a large industrial complex producing polyvinylchloride (PVC). PM₁₀ samples were collected over two campaigns (winter and spring) in four classrooms (ages 3–11 years) and adjacent outdoor areas. Airborne MP were determined by pyrolysis–gas chromatography coupled to Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC-Orbitrap-MS) targeting ten common polymers. Six polymers, including polymethyl methacrylate, nylon-6,6, polypropylene, nitrile butadiene rubber, polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene were identified. Indoor MP average concentrations (21.8 ± 16.3 ng/m³, n = 35) were significantly higher than outdoor levels (13.4 ± 13.6 ng/m³, n = 36). Seasonal differences were observed, with higher MP concentrations in spring compared to winter. Based on the concentrations detected indoors, the daily inhalation dose was evaluated and revealed a median daily exposure to MP in children of 1.57 ± 0.93 ng kg bw^-1 d^-1. Additionally, a non-targeted chemometric method using Regions of Interest-Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating least squares (ROIMCR) identified co-occurring pollutants such as phthalates, pesticides, and nicotine. This is the first study to apply Pyr-GC-Orbitrap-MS combined with ROIMCR for simultaneous targeted and untargeted analysis of airborne MP in a school setting. The findings reveal continuous exposure of children to a complex mixture of MP and hazardous additives, emphasizing the need to include these compounds in indoor air quality assessments and to protect sensitive populations in educational environments.

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学校环境中空气传播的微塑料和塑料添加剂：识别、量化和相关的吸入风险

室内和室外空气污染会对人体健康产生不利影响，尤其是对正在发育的儿童。本研究评估了葡萄牙Estarreja一所学校的空气中微塑料（MP）浓度和相关吸入风险，该学校靠近一个生产聚氯乙烯（PVC）的大型工业园区。PM10样本是在四个教室（3-11岁 岁）和邻近的室外区域进行两次活动（冬季和春季）收集的。采用热解-气相色谱-质谱联用（Pyr-GC-Orbitrap-MS）技术对10种常见聚合物进行了测定。鉴定了六种聚合物，包括聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯、尼龙-6、6聚丙烯、丁腈橡胶、聚氯乙烯和聚苯乙烯。室内议员平均浓度(21.8 ±16.3  ng / m3, n = 35)明显高于室外水平(13.4 ±13.6  ng / m3, n = 36)。存在季节差异，春季MP浓度高于冬季。根据室内检测到的浓度，对日吸入剂量进行了评估，结果显示儿童的中位日暴露量为1.57 ± 0.93 ng kg bw-1 d-1。此外，使用感兴趣区域的非靶向化学计量学方法-多变量曲线分辨率-交替最小二乘（ROIMCR）识别共同发生的污染物，如邻苯二甲酸盐，杀虫剂和尼古丁。这是第一个将Pyr-GC-Orbitrap-MS结合ROIMCR同时用于学校环境中机载MPs的靶向和非靶向分析的研究。研究结果表明，儿童持续暴露于多聚甲基磺酸和有害添加剂的复杂混合物中，强调有必要将这些化合物纳入室内空气质量评估，并保护教育环境中的敏感人群。

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来源期刊

Environment International 环境科学-环境科学

CiteScore

21.90

自引率

3.40%

发文量

734

审稿时长

2.8 months

期刊介绍： Environmental Health publishes manuscripts focusing on critical aspects of environmental and occupational medicine, including studies in toxicology and epidemiology, to illuminate the human health implications of exposure to environmental hazards. The journal adopts an open-access model and practices open peer review. It caters to scientists and practitioners across all environmental science domains, directly or indirectly impacting human health and well-being. With a commitment to enhancing the prevention of environmentally-related health risks, Environmental Health serves as a public health journal for the community and scientists engaged in matters of public health significance concerning the environment.