Concentration of airborne microplastics in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand | |
| Author | Preedaporn Ngernpa |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-23-11 |
| Subject(s) | Airborne infection--Thailand--Bangkok Microplastics--Thailand--Bangkok |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Microplastic particles have become a global concern due to their adverse environmental impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. In particular, the airborne microplastics pose a significant health risk to humans due to their inhalation, ingestion, and other pathways. This study provided the concentration of airborne microplastics (size < 5 millimeters) at the Pollution Control Department (PCD)’s ambient air quality monitoring station, located at the parking lot of Bangkok University Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani, Thailand. This station was selected because the microplastic concertation can be linked with other meteorological parameters and criteria air pollutants measured at the location. In this study, three different plastic identification methods which are the combination among Wet peroxide oxidation (WPO), Density separation, and Nile red staining were tested with known samples of microplastics on the filter. Nile red staining was found to be the most effective method for identifying airborne microplastics in the samples due to its highest microplastic recovery rate among the three tested methods. During the sampling period (17th December 2022 to 9th February 2023), thirty 24-hour samples were collected using a High-volume air sampler. This study found that the average number concentration of airborne microplastics was 325 ±22 number per cubic meter (n/m3), with a range of 173 to 800 n/m3. The size distribution of microplastics in the samples was analyzed, with 27.2% of the total microplastics having a size smaller than 10 μm, while 69.3% were in the range of 10-100 μm. Only 3.3% and 0.1% of the microplastics with sizes 100-1000 μm and 1000-5000 μm, respectively, were found in the samples. The majority of microplastics in the samples were in the form of fragments, accounting for 97.2%, while fibers made up 2.8%. Furthermore, the samples were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Microscope (FT-IR Microscope) to identify the types of polymers of the microplastics in the samples. Three distinct polymer types were identified in the samples, including Polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Cellulose. These polymer types are commonly used in various consumer products and have been identified as significant contributors to the global microplastic pollution. The correlation between number concentration of microplastics and meteorological parameters (wind speed and direction, humidity and pressure) and criteria air pollutants (PM10, PM 2.5 SO2 and NOx) measured at the same location were investigated, but no significant correlation was found. |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Xue, Wenchao;Cruz, Simon Guerrero |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2023 |