TY  - MANSCPT
AU  - Ainur Balqis Radzi
TI  - Characteristics, risk factors, and inhalation risk of airborne microplastics in daycare centres in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
SN  - THE0009503 (Local)
PY  - 2026///
CY  - Kuantan, Pahang
PB  - UMPSA
KW  - Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology
KW  - Dissertations
KW  - Universities and colleges
KW  - Theses
N1  - Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology; Thesis (Master of Science) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang - 2026; Include bibliographical reference
N2  - 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
ER  -