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Occurrence of azo-dyes, plasticizers, and PAH-bound microplastics: an emerging source and sink for hazardous compounds in indoor environments?

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Abstract

Indoor environments act as significant reservoirs for a wide range of potentially harmful substances, with microplastics (MPs) gaining increased attention in recent years. This study offers valuable insights into the role of MPs as both source and sink for hazardous contaminants within indoor environments. The analytical techniques employed encompass micro-Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The results revealed a strong correlation between the levels of MPs with the size of the residential population. The dominant shape, colour and polymer type of MPs were fibre, white/transparent and polyamide, respectively. The risk of exposure to microplastics through ingestion was 22.5 times higher for infants compared to adults. In settlements where inhabitants utilized firewood as supplementary cooking fuel, an interesting observation was made: pyrene, which is a specific type of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), was observed to be adsorbed by polystyrene (PS) MPs. This finding illustrates the capacity of MPs to serve as reservoirs for PAHs within indoor environments. Furthermore, the observation of PAH absorption onto MPs in households using firewood highlights a previously underexplored interaction between microplastics and pollutants in indoor settings. Organic micro-pollutants like di-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), 1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline and benzisothiazolone (BIT) were detected in both dust and MPs. It underscores the potential for organic micro-pollutants to move between settled dust and MPs within indoor settings, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility (SAIF–DST) and Inter University Instrumentation Center (IUIC), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam for instrumental support. We also acknowledge the technical help provided by Ms. Anu Mathew and Mr. M.K. Cyrus during the sample analysis. MVS is thankful to UGC for (UGC-SRF) research fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam, 686560, Kerala, India

    Vishnu S. Moorchilot & Charuvila T. Aravindakumar

  2. School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi, 682022, Kerala, India

    Usha K. Aravind

  3. Inter University Instrumentation Centre (IUIC), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam, 686560, Kerala, India

    Charuvila T. Aravindakumar

  4. International Centre for Polar Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam, 686560, Kerala, India

    Charuvila T. Aravindakumar

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VSM: conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, writing — original draft. UKA: writing — review and editing, supervision. CTA: writing — review and editing, supervision.

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Moorchilot, V.S., Aravind, U.K. & Aravindakumar, C.T. Occurrence of azo-dyes, plasticizers, and PAH-bound microplastics: an emerging source and sink for hazardous compounds in indoor environments?. Air Qual Atmos Health 17, 425–438 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-023-01455-5

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