Research Article
Microplastics in Indoor Dust Collected from Healthcare Units: Occurrence and Exposure Assessment
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
76-88
Received:
8 December 2025
Accepted:
24 February 2026
Published:
3 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajmst.20260203.11
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Abstract: Microplastics are one of the dominant environmental pollutants that have been found in various environments due to the widespread use of plastic products. The present study was designed and conducted with the aim of investigating the abundance of microplastics in settled dust in healthcare wards with a health risk assessment approach. In this study, 30 settled dust samples from different healthcare wards were examined. The samples were prepared, digested, and extracted in the laboratory. Optical microscopy was used to identify and determine the physical properties of microplastics, and SEM-EDX was used to determine their surface morphology and chemical composition. The polymer composition of microplastic particles was also determined using a Raman spectrometer. The results of this study showed that the abundance of microplastics in settled dust was 4358 pieces per 10 grams, with the highest abundance at 636 sampling stations and the lowest contribution of 18 sampling stations. The most common color, shape, and polymer type of microplastics were white (37%), fiber (65%), and polyvinyl chloride (30%), respectively, and the predominant size of microplastic particles in the sample was between 10 and 1000 μm (55%). The results of this study have a direct relationship with the type of equipment and devices used in the wards, type of ventilation, cleaning methods, and hygiene practices. This study provides new insights into microplastic contamination in assessing the risk associated with deposited dust in healthcare units. Furthermore, the findings are useful for controlling exposure and improving microplastic contamination reduction steps in health management in healthcare facilities.
Abstract: Microplastics are one of the dominant environmental pollutants that have been found in various environments due to the widespread use of plastic products. The present study was designed and conducted with the aim of investigating the abundance of microplastics in settled dust in healthcare wards with a health risk assessment approach. In this study...
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Ehsan Abouee Mehrizi
