Microplastics in the school classrooms of Shiraz, Iran

Microplastics (MPs) are a pervasive and ubiquitous environmental contaminant. However, very little information exists on the quantities or characteristics of MPs in indoor setting. In present study, have been isolated from settled classroom dust samples collected 50 schools city Shiraz, Iran. Concentrations number basis ranged about 80 to over 56,000 MP per g dry there was an increase concentration towards centre southeast city. The geographical distribution is attributed larger population student density, higher traffic loading greater industrialization prevailing wind northwest. were dominated by fibres >250 μm length, Raman spectrometry SEM-EDX analysis selected revealed that mainly constructed polyethylene terephthalate polypropylene but contaminated various metals (e.g. lead, titanium, antimony) used as additives acquired environment. Calculations using data for elementary indicate children age range 6–14 years may be exposed between 5 440 day−1 through inadvertent ingestion. health impacts unknown results study requirement research this area.