Abundance, characteristics and significance of nano- and microplastics in urban air

Description of the granted funding

Plastics are commonly used in our everyday life. The advantage of plastic material is its durability but durability is also causing harmful side-effects as during breakdown plastic forms nano- and microplastic particles. These small particles accumulate in water bodies and food chain causing severe problems for marine organisms and sea animals. Although nano- and microplastics have been a hot topic lately being nearly daily in media, almost no attention has been paid on the existence of airborne nano- and microplastics. In this study, we will identify and quantify nano- and microplastic particles in ambient air. We will also resolve the most important sources and distribution of nano- and microplastic particles in urban environment and define how significant the problem with atmospheric nano- and microplastic particles is currently in terms of air quality.
Show more

Starting year

2023

End year

2027

Granted funding


Markus Sillanpää Orcid -palvelun logo
265 571 €

Role in consortium of the Academy of Finland

Partner

Other consortium parties

Leader
Finnish Meteorological Institute (354844)
299 121 €

Funder

Research Council of Finland

Funding instrument

Academy projects

Other information

Funding decision number

354845

Fields of science

Geosciences

Research fields

Meteorologia ja ilmakehätieteet, ilmastotutkimus

Identified topics

bio-based materials, packaging, plastics