Overview

• The PLOS One study led by Nadiia Yakovenko measured median concentrations of 528 microplastic particles per cubic metre in apartments and 2,238 per cubic metre in cars using Raman spectroscopy.
• More than 90% of detected particles were smaller than 10 micrometres, a size capable of reaching deep lung tissue.
• Based on combined data, adults may inhale about 68,000 microplastic particles under 10 micrometres every day, a rate up to 100 times higher than earlier estimates.
• This was the first study to directly quantify microplastics in car cabin air under realistic driving conditions.
• Authors are calling for expanded research into health effects and reconsideration of indoor air quality guidelines to address this hidden exposure route.