Knowledge regarding the presence of suspended microplastics (MPs) within the air is lacking, especially indoors, yet the importance of indoor air quality and human health is rising. This study is the first to report MPs within multiple homes over a 6-month period, with concentrations exceeding previous outdoor studies. Twenty households, within the City of Hull and Humber region, U.K., were passively sampled, each month, collecting atmospheric fallout at head height for subsequent particle quantification, characterisation and μFTIR validation (n = 3061). A household average of 1414 MP m⁻² day⁻¹ ± 1022 (mean ± SD) was observed. Smaller (5–250 μm), fibrous, particles were the most abundant (90%), representing types most likely to enter the human body and cause physiological harm. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was present in 90% of samples and accounted for 62% of MPs. Additionally, polyamide (PA) and polypropylene (PP) were common. Results indicate that humans are exposed to significantly (1–45 times) higher concentrations, and ranges, of MPs within homes compared with the outdoor environment. In conclusion, the size range and types of MPs observed will inform laboratory experiments, using either human tissue culture or other approaches. This will allow determination of the wider implications on human health using realistic levels and representative types of indoor MPs.

关于空气中存在悬浮微塑料 (MPs) 的知识缺乏，尤其是在室内，但室内空气质量和人类健康的重要性正在上升。这项研究首次报告了 6 个月内多个家庭中的 MP，其浓度超过了以前的户外研究。英国赫尔市和亨伯地区的 20 户家庭每月进行被动采样，收集头部高度的大气沉降物，用于随后的粒子量化、表征和 μFTIR 验证（n = 3061）。家庭平均 1414 MP m ^-2天^-1观察到±1022（平均值±SD）。较小 (5–250 μm) 的纤维状颗粒最为丰富 (90%)，代表最有可能进入人体并造成生理伤害的类型。聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯 (PET) 存在于 90% 的样品中，占 MP 的 62%。此外，聚酰胺 (PA) 和聚丙烯 (PP) 很常见。结果表明，与室外环境相比，人类在家中暴露于显着（1-45 倍）更高浓度和范围的 MP。总之，观察到的 MP 的大小范围和类型将为实验室实验提供信息，使用人体组织培养或其他方法。这将允许使用现实水平和室内 MP 的代表性类型来确定对人类健康的更广泛影响。