Ferraz Gabriel M, de Moraes Aline Dos S, Dos Santos Gustavo B, de Miranda Ingrid T, Zucolotto Valtencir, Urban Roberta C
Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, São Carlos Physics Institute, University of São Paulo, 13566-590, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Chemosphere. 2024 Dec;369:143886. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143886. Epub 2024 Dec 6.
The widespread use of plastics has revolutionized modern life, but also led to environmental pollution. Although microplastics (MPs) have been detected in various environments, their presence in the atmosphere, particularly in Brazil, is poorly studied. This research investigated atmospheric MP concentrations at Alvaro Guião School in São Carlos, Brazil, from 2021 to 2022. Outdoor MP concentrations ranged from the limit of detection (LOD) to 168.03 items m day, and indoor concentrations ranged from LOD to 60.16 items m day. Predominantly, these MPs were fragments, even in the indoor environment, suggesting abundant sources, such as resuspension. Seasonal variations were not observed for outdoor fragments and fibers, nor for indoor fragments. However, indoor fiber concentrations were higher during the dry season (p > 0.05), likely due to winter clothing and reduced ventilation. Fragment sizes were mainly <60 μm, while fibers ranged from <60 μm to 3000-5000 μm. Polyester was the primary MP component (83-100% outdoors and 29-100% indoors), followed by ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA, 0-17% outdoors and 0-57% indoors), common in synthetic clothing and school supplies, respectively. Other plastics, found in packaging and bottles, like polyethylene (0-14%) and polyethylene terephthalate (0-6%), were also identified indoors. This study not only enhances the current understanding, but also pioneers analyses within a school environment. Despite being a work in progress, this study has already shown the presence of plastic particles in environments where children, one of the most susceptible groups to air pollution, spend a significant portion of their time. Furthermore, it can assist in developing an assessment of acceptable levels and guidelines.
塑料的广泛使用彻底改变了现代生活，但也导致了环境污染。尽管在各种环境中都检测到了微塑料（MPs），但其在大气中的存在情况，尤其是在巴西，却鲜有研究。本研究调查了2021年至2022年巴西圣卡洛斯市阿尔瓦罗·吉奥学校大气中的MP浓度。室外MP浓度范围从检测限（LOD）到168.03个/立方米·天，室内浓度范围从LOD到60.16个/立方米·天。主要地，这些MPs是碎片，即使在室内环境中也是如此，这表明存在丰富的来源，比如再悬浮。室外碎片和纤维以及室内碎片均未观察到季节性变化。然而，室内纤维浓度在旱季较高（p>0.05），可能是由于冬季衣物和通风减少所致。碎片尺寸主要<60μm，而纤维范围从<60μm到3000 - 5000μm。聚酯是主要的MP成分（室外为83 - 100%，室内为29 - 10%),其次是乙烯醋酸乙烯酯（EVA，室外为0 - 17%，室内为0 - 57%），分别常见于合成衣物和学校用品中。在包装和瓶子中发现的其他塑料，如聚乙烯（0 - 14%）和聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯（0 - 6%），在室内也被识别出来。本研究不仅增进了当前的认识，还开创了在学校环境中的分析先河。尽管这项研究仍在进行中，但它已经表明在儿童（空气污染最易感群体之一）大量时间所处的环境中存在塑料颗粒。此外，它有助于制定可接受水平的评估和指导方针。
