Work

Atmospheric microplastics in PM2.5 from 2010 to 2024 in Beijing: Type-specific trends and driving factors

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Atmospheric microplastics in respirable PM 2.5 (MP 2.5 ) have attracted widespread attention, yet their characteristics, major sources, and factors influencing their emission remain poorly understood. We present the first long-term (2010–2024) observation of atmospheric MP 2.5 in Beijing, quantified with pyrolysis–gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. Our investigation of type-specific trends and driving factors revealed an overall increasing trend in MP 2.5 concentration, with an average level of 264 ng/m 3 and a peak of 417.6 ng/m 3 in 2021. The distinct trends of MP 2.5 and PM 2.5 concentrations suggest that their major sources differ, necessitating different regulation measures for each. PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene), PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), and PA66 (polyamide 66) are the predominant types of MP 2.5 , differing markedly from the pattern in dustfall or total suspended particulate matter. PS, PP, and PP correlated positively with express delivery volume and total retail sales of consumer goods, implicating packaging material as a potential major source. PA66 and PVC, which are widely used in disposable medical supplies such as protective suits, responded sensitively to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings reveal that socioeconomic activities strongly influence the long-term evolution of MP 2.5 patterns, and provide a scientific basis for related risk assessments.

Source: Environment International

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2026.110135