Unveiling the overlooked threat: Macroplastic pollution in indoor markets in an urban city

Abstract

The physical characterization of indoor dust market samples showed the presence of different macroplastics (pellet, film, and fiber). Most macroplastics fall in the size range of 5 < L ≤ 6 mm. These macroplastics have different colors. The concentration range among the indoor dust market samples was 27 – 730 macroplastics g−1, while the average concentration was 247 ± 196 macroplastics g−1. Two hundred seventeen macroplastics were identified and were characterized into 24 types of macroplastics. In most indoor markets, the polymer risk index of macroplastics was in the less-risk category (I), while in some indoor environments, it was in the high-risk category (Ⅴ).