People Inhale Very High Levels of Microplastics Simply by Breathing City Air

People inhale very high levels of microplastics simply by breathing city air

According to a new study, microplastics in the air in Xi'an city, China, more than tripled during the time period of their research project.

Researchers sound alarm over ominous 'clouds' looming over cities: 'Their behavior … remains poorly understood'

Air pollution is often measured in smog, soot, or fine dust, but scientists are documenting another form of contamination drifting above cities: microplastic clouds.  What's happening? According to a study published January 7, 2026, in Science Advances, researchers measured microplastics and nanoplastics in the air of Guangzhou and Xi'an, two major Chinese cities. The research team reported airborne concentrations as high as 180,000 microplastic…

There’s a lot more plastic in the air than we thought

Urban residents are breathing in considerably more plastic particles than previously thought, according to new research. The study, conducted in the Chinese cities of Guangzhou and Xi’an, reveals that airborne microplastics and nanoplastics are pervasive in the atmosphere, with significant implications for human health and urban air quality. The research employed an innovative, semi-automated detection method capable of identifying plastic parti…