03144ntm a2200337 i 4500 MY-KuUP 20260803105501.0 t||||fr|||| 000 0 ta 260803t20262026my a|||fr|||| 000 0 eng d THE0009503 (Local) Hardback UMPSA eng UMPSA rda FSTI .A36 2026 r Thesis Ainur Balqis Radzi, author. Characteristics, risk factors, and inhalation risk of airborne microplastics in daycare centres in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia / Ainur Balqis Radzi Kuantan, Pahang : UMPSA, 2026 © 2026 xv, 149 pages : illustrations ; 30 cm. + 1 CD-ROM. rdacontent text rdamedia unmediated rdacarrier volume rda text file PDF Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang - 2026 Include bibliographical reference Microplastic (MP) pollution in the air is a growing concern; however, little research has focused on airborne MP surrounding educational buildings, particularly daycare centres. This study aimed to investigate the number concentration, physical characteristics, potential risk factors, and estimated daily intake through inhalation of airborne MPs by teachers and children in daycare centres in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Airborne MPs were collected using single-stage impactors, and MPs were identified and characterized by fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Concentrations were measured, and shape, size, and colour were reported. Estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated using established exposure models, with uncertainty assessed through Monte Carlo simulations (MCS). The findings have revealed that the geometric mean of MP concentration was 54 particles/m3 (arithmetic mean =59 ± 29 particles/m3) with a wide range spanning from 19 to 124 particles/m3, dominated by fragments (84%), followed by fibres (15%) and films (1%). MPs were observed in various colours, including transparent, black, red, and yellow, with a size distribution ranging from 2.99 μm to 800 μm. Moreover, PET (59%) was predominant polymer type recorded. MP levels varied significantly with cleaning frequency, indoor temperature, and location of daycare (p < 0.05). The estimation of daily intake (EDI) combined with MCS have indicated that children are at a higher risk of inhalation exposure than adults, with the 95th percentile of EDI values was 17.48 MPs/kg-Bw/day for girls and 16.06 MPs/kg-Bw/day for boys, compared to 7.50 MPs/kg-Bw/day for teachers. The findings of the present study have affirmed the need for further research on MP exposure mechanisms in daycare centres and the development of mitigation strategies to protect teachers and young children from these tiny synthetic particles. Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology Dissertations Universities and colleges Dissertations Theses Dissertations lcc THESIS 0 0 lcc 0 0 NFIC 10000 10000 2026-08-03 0 FSTI .A36 2026 r Thesis T000005616 2026-08-03 10:55:43 1 2026-08-03 THESIS 0 0 lcc 0 6 NFIC 10000 10000 2026-08-03 0 CD14047 T000005617 2026-08-03 10:56:13 1 2026-08-03 ACCOM 105359 105365