Identification and Mitigation of Deposited Indoor Air Microplastics in an Office Environment in Kuala Lumpur

¹ School of American Education, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
² Faculty of Engineering, Technology and Built Environment, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
³ School of Business, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor.
⁴ Air Resources Research Laboratory, Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology, 54100 UTM Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁵ School of Environmental Engineering, University Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia.
⁶ Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology (SCEEST), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
⁷ University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India
⁸ Daikin Research and Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd
⁹ Sustainable Environment Research Group (SERG), Centre of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology (CEGeoGTech), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Jejawi, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: dewikan@sunway.edu.my

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) contamination in indoor environments has become a growing concern due to its potential health risks and environmental implications. Since humans spend a significant portion of their lives indoors, exposure to MPs through various pathways, including settled dust, air, water, and food, is a substantial concern. Ventilation, air conditioning, and filtration systems play a crucial role in improving indoor air quality. This study investigated the effectiveness of Air Purifier Units (APUs) in reducing MP concentrations in office environments within a Malaysian university. The efficiency of APUs can vary depending on factors such as purifier type, filtration method, airflow rate, and room size. The results demonstrated a 35% average reduction in MP counts when APUs were operational, regardless of whether air vents were open or closed. Specifically, with air vents open, MP counts decreased from 1273.8 to 825.5 when the APU was on. Similarly, with air vents closed, counts dropped from 1272.4 to 831.5. These findings were further validated through statistical analysis using the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and the Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, and Dunn’s test for group comparisons. The study’s findings highlight the significant impact of APUs in mitigating airborne MP exposure, contributing to improved indoor air quality and reducing potential health risks associated with MP inhalation. These results provide valuable insights for building managers, policymakers, and individuals seeking to create healthier indoor environments.