Seasonal co-occurrence and inhalation risks of microplastics and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers in atmospheric PM2.5 from northern Chinese city
Microplastics (MPs) and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) are emerging contaminants in airborne PM2.5, 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, analy...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Environment International |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025004726 |
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| Summary: | Microplastics (MPs) and benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVs) are emerging contaminants in airborne PM2.5, 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 PM2.5 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 (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO and O3) 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 PM2.5 (r = 0.69), PM10 (r = 0.61), CO (r = 0.54) and BUVs (r = 0.58), while BUVs associated with CO (r = 0.74), NO2 (r = 0.77) and MPs (r = 0.58), suggesting shared emission sources (e.g., plastic waste combustion). Annual inhalation exposure reached 3.86 × 104 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 PM2.5, 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. |
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| ISSN: | 0160-4120 |