Microplastics in indoor environment: Sources, mitigation and fate

The problem of microplastics associated with an exponentially growing production of plastics is becoming one of the most concerning issues of the 21st century. Although, there is still little evidence about the harmful effect of micro and nanoplastics pollution, they have to be considered as a possible threat, since their concentration is continuously growing. Several studies have already demonstrated the presence of microplastics in the aquatic environment, but only limited number of studies investigated the presence of airborne microplastics in the terrestrial environment especially in indoor air environment. The objective of this study is to review the existing literature to establish the extent of this new emerging phenomenon by identifying sources, types and levels of microplastics presence in indoor air, as well as their formation methods, characteristics, accumulation, behaviour and fate. The study also involves exploration and evaluation of the existing methods of testing airborne microplastics to assess their effect and risk to human health and the environment. Possible methods of controlling, reducing and mitigating of these pollutants are also investigated. The results of the literature overview revealed the scale and complexity of airborne microplastics pollution, technological deficiencies in testing methods, and the need to develop recommendations for potential short- and long-term measures to help reduce the impact of this pollutant on human health and the environment.