Work

Seasonal co-occurrence and inhalation risks of microplastics and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers in atmospheric PM2.5 from northern Chinese city

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) are emerging contaminants in airborne PM 2.5 , yet their co-occurrence patterns, seasonal dynamics, and health risks remain poorly understood. We conducted a year-long study (2023–2024) in Shijiazhuang, a northern Chinese city, analyzing PM 2.5 samples (n = 117) for MPs (abundance, size, polymer type) and BUVs (UV-320, UV-327, UV-328) via microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UPLC-MS/MS. Correlations with criteria air pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , CO and O 3 ) and meteorological factors (temperature, humidity and wind scale) were assessed using spearman analysis. Health risks were evaluated via inhalation exposure models. MPs (predominantly PP/PS/PE/PC fragments) and BUVs peaked in winter (MPs: 9.56 N·m −3 ; ∑BUVs: 7.10 ng·m −3 ) due to low temperatures, weak solar radiation, and stagnant air, contrasting with summer minima (MPs: 6.18 N·m −3 ; ∑BUVs: 2.23 ng·m −3 ). MPs correlated with PM 2.5 (r = 0.69), PM 10 (r = 0.61), CO (r = 0.54) and BUVs (r = 0.58), while BUVs associated with CO (r = 0.74), NO 2 (r = 0.77) and MPs (r = 0.58), suggesting shared emission sources (e.g., plastic waste combustion). Annual inhalation exposure reached 3.86 × 10 4 MPs/person and ∑BUVs up to 0.82 ng·kg −1 ·d −1 (highest in children). This study highlights the synergistic pollution of MPs and BUVs in PM 2.5 , driven by fossil fuel combustion and meteorological conditions. The findings underscore the need to regulate plastic production/waste as well as plastic additives in urban air quality management.

Source: Environment International

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109721

Authors: Jianwen Zhou, Tianwei Cheng, Yao Yang, Xuyan Zhang, Ke Wang, Lixin Wang

Institutions: Hebei University of Science and Technology, Hebei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,750