Determination of mass concentrations of airborne PET microplastics using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS)

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have become a growing concern of environmental pollution in recent times. MPs are easily transferred and ubiquitously found in ambient air. MPs in the air can act as carriers for several toxic pollutants and exposure to MPs can lead to pulmonary diseases in humans. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most abundant MPs used in the manufacturing of various fibres and plastics. In this study, we present a method for the determination of mass concentrations of PET MPs in the airborne inhalable fraction of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Teflon and Quartz fiber filters were tested for extraction efficiency in measuring the mass concentrations of airborne PET MPs. Teflon filters have shown good recovery (80% – 120%) compared to Quartz filters. Using this method, a pilot study was carried out in Delhi, the National Capital of India and Mohali, a suburban city in Northwest Indo-Gangetic Plain (NWIGP) for the determination of mass concentrations of PET MPs present in airborne PM2.5. Observed maximum mass concentrations of PET MPs in airborne PM2.5 at Delhi and Mohali are 135.20 ng m-3 and 157.98 ng m-3, respectively.