Abstract
Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 mm in length. Microplastics in the air can be ingested and inhaled by humans. In this work, three sites in a roadside area were investigated for microplastics. Air samples were obtained by sucking air at these three sites into a stainless steel funnel with a vacuum pump. The air went through a filter media to retain any particles, which were then collected and observed with a digital microscope and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) testing. A diversity of microplastic shapes were identified at the sites, including fibres, fragments and films. Pellets were not found at any sites, and fibre was the dominant microplastic shape. The highest microplastic was found in the study site with high traffic volume than at sites with low traffic volume. Microplastic on Urip Sumoharjo street (225,087 units/day) as many as 174.97 particles/m3 and 130.50 particles/m3, Mayjend Sungkono street (132,066 units/day) as many as 131.75 particles/m3 and 68.36 particles/m3, and Embong Malang street (98,017 units/day) as much 94.69 particles/m3 and 55.93 particles/m3. Microplastics from different polymers, such as polyethene terephthalate (PET), polyester and cellophane, were identified. Thus, dust emissions and depositions in the air, on land surfaces, and in aquatic environments are associated with microplastic transportation.
Highlights
IntroductionResearchers studying storm water runoffs from Norwegian and Swedish cities found that they are substantial sources of a wide range of traffic-related pollutants
This paper show that microplastics are present in the ambient air of roadside areas
It was found that the dominant microplastic shape in the ambient air of roadside areas is fiber, with microplastic particles identified as containing portions of plastic polymers
Summary
Researchers studying storm water runoffs from Norwegian and Swedish cities found that they are substantial sources of a wide range of traffic-related pollutants.. Vehicles driving on a road experience friction, pressure and heat, causing the vehicles’ tires to wear out and emit plastic dust. If it is blown into the air, the dust can contribute to a decrease in air quality, and, if it is carried by rain to sewers, rivers and so on, it is likely to be consumed by the biota in the waters, such as shellfish, which can affect the human food chain.. Research on the microplastic pollution in ambient air needs to be done to determine the amount, shape and composition of microplastics in ambient air in the roadside areas of Surabaya City
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