Airborne microplastics: environmental prevalence, human health risks, and mitigation strategies

wind patterns. Vegetation acts as a temporary reservoir for MPs before they are ultimately deposited in soil and water, contributing to up to 80% of oceanic MPs in certain areas. Annual human inhalation exposure is estimated to exceed 1 million particles, and occupational studies have linked polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/polypropylene (PP) dust to interstitial lung disease and a 3.6-fold increase in respiratory symptoms. The research is crucial for addressing current gaps in toxicological knowledge and for developing effective mitigation strategies. Highlighting the gap in studying inhaled airborne MPs can inspire researchers to focus on this vital area, making them feel that their work is impactful and needed. There is a significant gap in the study of the toxicity of inhaled airborne MPs, with implications for toxicological investigations. Significant deficiencies remain in understanding the toxicological effects of airborne MP inhalation, ocular surface impacts, and atmospheric transition chemistry. Mitigation necessitates the control of sources (textile filters and tyre recycling) in conjunction with sophisticated detection methods (FTIR, Raman, Py-GC/MS). Urgent incorporation of policy measures into air quality standards is necessary to tackle this widespread atmospheric pollutant issue.