Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device
Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) are a ubiquitous environmental contaminant of emerging concern. Sampling methods provide information relating to surface area concentration and MP characteristics, without direct comparison with routinely measured standard air quality parameters. This study analysed 6...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/12/2017 |
| _version_ | 1797461474623356928 |
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| author | Lauren C. Jenner Rameez Raja Kureshi David White Emma Chapman Laura R. Sadofsky Jeanette M. Rotchell |
| author_facet | Lauren C. Jenner Rameez Raja Kureshi David White Emma Chapman Laura R. Sadofsky Jeanette M. Rotchell |
| author_sort | Lauren C. Jenner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) are a ubiquitous environmental contaminant of emerging concern. Sampling methods provide information relating to surface area concentration and MP characteristics, without direct comparison with routinely measured standard air quality parameters. This study analysed 6 active air samples generated by a local authority as part of their routine air quality monitoring activities. Continuous sampling totalled 10 months, within the city centre of Kingston-upon-Hull. By using μFTIR analysis, levels of total particles detected using the NOx inlet filters ranged from 5139 ± 2843 particles m<sup>−2</sup> day<sup>−1</sup>, comprising 1029 ± 594 MPs m<sup>−2</sup> day<sup>−1</sup>. The controls displayed a mean level of 2.00 ± 3.49 MPs. The polymers nylon (32%) and polypropylene, PP (22%) were the most abundant. Small fragments of 47.42 ± 48.57 μm (length) and 21.75 ± 13.62 μm (width) were most common. An increase in MP levels during April 2020 coincided with an increase in PM<sub>10</sub> levels. This study used robust procedures to measure MPs in the air by exploiting existing air quality monitoring equipment. Knowing the levels, types, and characteristics of MPs can inform toxicity studies to provide more environmentally relevant exposures, which is urgent now that MPs have been reported in human lung tissue. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:20:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-26ead71a47d842c1a308cf0cf1e5478d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:20:51Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-26ead71a47d842c1a308cf0cf1e5478d2023-11-24T13:11:26ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332022-11-011312201710.3390/atmos13122017Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring DeviceLauren C. Jenner0Rameez Raja Kureshi1David White2Emma Chapman3Laura R. Sadofsky4Jeanette M. Rotchell5Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UKSchool of Computer Sciences, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UKHull City Council, Air Quality Officer, Environmental Regulation, 33, Witham, Kingston upon Hull HU9 1DB, UKSchool of Natural Sciences, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UKHull York Medical School, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UKSchool of Natural Sciences, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UKAtmospheric microplastics (MPs) are a ubiquitous environmental contaminant of emerging concern. Sampling methods provide information relating to surface area concentration and MP characteristics, without direct comparison with routinely measured standard air quality parameters. This study analysed 6 active air samples generated by a local authority as part of their routine air quality monitoring activities. Continuous sampling totalled 10 months, within the city centre of Kingston-upon-Hull. By using μFTIR analysis, levels of total particles detected using the NOx inlet filters ranged from 5139 ± 2843 particles m<sup>−2</sup> day<sup>−1</sup>, comprising 1029 ± 594 MPs m<sup>−2</sup> day<sup>−1</sup>. The controls displayed a mean level of 2.00 ± 3.49 MPs. The polymers nylon (32%) and polypropylene, PP (22%) were the most abundant. Small fragments of 47.42 ± 48.57 μm (length) and 21.75 ± 13.62 μm (width) were most common. An increase in MP levels during April 2020 coincided with an increase in PM<sub>10</sub> levels. This study used robust procedures to measure MPs in the air by exploiting existing air quality monitoring equipment. Knowing the levels, types, and characteristics of MPs can inform toxicity studies to provide more environmentally relevant exposures, which is urgent now that MPs have been reported in human lung tissue.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/12/2017microplastic and atmosphericpolymerdepositionoutdoorairμFTIR |
| spellingShingle | Lauren C. Jenner Rameez Raja Kureshi David White Emma Chapman Laura R. Sadofsky Jeanette M. Rotchell Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device Atmosphere microplastic and atmospheric polymer deposition outdoor air μFTIR |
| title | Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device |
| title_full | Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device |
| title_fullStr | Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device |
| title_full_unstemmed | Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device |
| title_short | Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device |
| title_sort | outdoor microplastic analysis using inlet filters from an nox regulatory air quality monitoring device |
| topic | microplastic and atmospheric polymer deposition outdoor air μFTIR |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/12/2017 |
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