Delhi adults inhaling twice as many microplastics in summer as in winter: Study

Adults in the national capital inhale almost twice as many microplastic particles in summer as they do in winter with the estimated average daily exposure rising from 107 particles in the colder months to 211 in the hotter season a 97 per cent jump according to a new studyThe study titled Characterization and Health Risk Assessment of Airborne Microplastics in Delhi NCR a joint effort by researchers from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology IITM under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Department of Environmental Sciences at Savitribai Phule Pune University said children and toddlers also face significant exposureChildren aged 6 to 12 inhale about 81 particles a day in winter rising to 156 in summer while toddlers aged between one to six breathe in 61 particles in winter and 117 in summer it saidEven infants recorded the lowest under one year inhale 36 particles daily in winter which nearly doubles to 68 in summerThe researchers collected air samples at Lodhi Road a central Delhi site during the winter January to March and summer April to June of 2024 using active pump samplers that captured particles of different sizes PM10 tiny dust particles up to 10 micrometers wide PM25 particles up to 25 micrometers and PM1up to 1 micrometerThe equipment was installed on the terrace of the Indian Meteorological Department building about 30 metres above the ground and operated weekly to cover both weekdays and weekendsFilters were later treated in the laboratory with hydrogen peroxide to remove organic matter followed by microscopic and fluorescence analysis to identify fibres fragments and filmsSuspected plastic particles were tested using special techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR and electron microscopes to confirm if they were really microplastics These tests helped researchers understand what the particles were made of Extra checks called blank controls were used to make sure the results were not affected by any outside contaminationDuring winter and summer 2024 the researchers found an average of 187 particles per cubic metre in PM10 051 in PM25 and 049 in PM1 Concentrations gradually rose from January to June peaking in JuneA total of 2087 microplastics were identified in samples collected during the study period mostly in the form of fragments of plastic and fibres Polyethylene terephthalate PET widely used in bottles food packaging and textiles was the most common type 41 per cent followed by polyethylene 27 per cent polyester 18 per cent polystyrene 9 per cent and PVC 5 per centTrace metals such as zinc silicon and aluminium were also found attached to particles raising toxicity concernsThe study compared Delhis daily inhalation exposure of 53 to 154 particles 1935 to 5621 annually with other citiesIt found Delhis levels higher than Mexico City which recorded 24 particles daily 876 annually but lower than indoor exposure in Scotland 38187 daily 1373168415 annuallyPlastic waste was identified as a major driver of exposure Citing Central Pollution Control Board CPCB data the study said Delhi generates about 1145 tonnes of plastic waste daily of which 635 tonnes are singleuse plastics Nationally India generates around 25940 tonnes daily with Delhi contributing 6898 tonnes daily the highest share among megacitiesLocal sources such as textile manufacturing garment processing packaging waste and household laundry were cited as key contributors while northwesterly winds were found to transport additional microplastics from industrial clusters markets and wasteburning sites into Delhis airThe World Health Organization WHO has also noted that half of the worlds 20 most polluted cities are in South Asia underlining the regions vulnerability the study saidCovering an area of 1483 square kilometres Delhi is home to nearly 30 million residents and faces extreme weather from 45 degrees Celsius summers to 5 degrees Celsius winters alongside high pollution loads These conditions the study said make the city a hotspot for airborne microplastic exposure it readAlthough no safe threshold has been established for inhaling microplastics the study warned that chronic exposure may contribute to asthma bronchitis pneumonia lung inflammation and even cancerSmaller particles it said may lodge deep in the lungs carry bacteria and cause oxidative stress potentially affecting not only lung function but also skin and brain cellsIt added that inhalation is not the only route of exposure microplastics can also contaminate food and drinking water or be ingested during routine activities in polluted environments Vulnerability varies by age occupation health status and rate of air intake the researchers saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the 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