Microplastics are most commonly associated with oceans, rivers, and marine ecosystems. But what happens indoors — where people spend most of their lives?
In this interview for ALLATRA Global Civic Platform, researcher Nisarg Mehta, a PhD candidate at the Silesian University of Technology in Poland, discusses microplastics found in settled dust from a variety of indoor environments, including hospitals, schools, residential buildings, train stations, and public transportation.
This episode covers:
• Why microplastics are found even in controlled indoor environments;
• How human activity affects microplastic concentrations;
• Why children, especially toddlers, may be more vulnerable to microplastics in dust;
• How research on microplastics differs across water, air, and settled dust;
• Why the scientific community needs standardized protocols and consistent units of measurement;
• Why indoor monitoring is crucial for assessing real-world human exposure to microplastics.
Nisarg Mehta also shares his thoughts on the documentary "Nanoplastic: Threat to Life" by the ALLATRA Global Research Center. He emphasizes that science communication plays a vital role, as complex scientific findings should be accessible not only to specialists but to society as a whole.
Publication of this material provides an opportunity for open discussion and does not in itself imply institutional endorsement, confirmation, or scientific verification of the views expressed. The material does not constitute an official statement, expert opinion, or professional advice.