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Abstract

There is an insatiable demand for plastic-based products in the modern era contributing to the continuous growth of plastic waste due to the lack of remedial methods and shortage of awareness of the dangers they pose from various sources. Among the numerous categories of plastics, microplastics which ranges between 1 μm to 5 mm in size are of the most significant concern due to their pervasive presence in the indoor and outdoor atmosphere and potential to cause health risks. This study aimed to investigate and quantify the microplastics generated by residential carpets impacting the indoor air quality in the UK considering the different carpet materials over time with an objective to offer factual insights to social housing developers in terms of identifying the most suitable carpet materials for flooring. The study focused on three types of carpets: Polypropylene, Polyester, and Wool, categorized into three age groups: New, Used, and Old. The experiment was conducted in the Public Health Laboratory and Mechanical Behaviour of Materials Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth, employing a QUV machine for weathering the carpet tiles and a Raman microscope for imaging. A systematic brushing method was implemented to collect fibres and microplastics. The quantification and statistical analysis of the data were performed using ImageJ and Minitab software, respectively. Notably, the findings revealed that Polypropylene carpets emitted the highest quantity of microplastics, followed by Polyester, while Wool carpets released the least. Furthermore, it was evident that all carpet types released a considerable amount of microplastics as they aged and experienced wear and tear. Consequently, recommendations were directed towards carpet manufacturers and social housing developers to enhance public awareness regarding the potential health risks associated with microplastics, employ better methods to reduce the microplastics release, and choose natural-based carpets such as Wool carpets whenever possible.

Course: Water and Environmental Engineering - MSc - P3422FTC

Date Deposited: 2025-01-17

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14686.html