On August 31, 2026, AURORA researchers published a new peer-reviewed scientific study investigating micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in dust across 105 Dutch households. The study was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances. Led by Amanda Durkin from UMC Utrecht, the team of researchers set out to better understand exposure to MNPs in women of reproductive age.
Lead author Amanda Durkin introduces her research, including details on what is still to come.
The scientists found that MNPs were present in every dust sample and in every home. On average, 35 µg of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) settled from dust per square meter per day, with seven of the nine targeted plastic types detected. Among these, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was found in 99.5% of samples, followed by polystyrene in 98.5% and polypropylene in 82.8%. PET clearly dominated the composition, accounting for approximately 80% of total deposition. Dust samples collected from the same homes three months apart showed relatively similar MNP levels, indicating that indoor exposure remains fairly consistent over time. The findings further suggest that these particles originate primarily from indoor sources, as no associations were observed between MNP levels and outdoor factors such as brake and tire wear.
Overall, higher MNP levels were associated with more occupants, higher occupancy density, and seasonality. In winter, levels were higher than in spring and summer. This is likely due to spending more time indoors and reduced ventilation in the colder seasons. Notably, window-opening frequency was not clearly related to the amount of MNPs measured.
These results show that people are regularly exposed to MNPs in their homes. “Microplastics are often seen as a distant environmental problem affecting the oceans, but our findings show that exposure is occurring much closer to home through the indoor dust that accumulates in the spaces where we live and work,” says Amanda Durkin, lead author of the study.
While reducing synthetic materials in the home such as rugs, curtains, and other textiles is likely beneficial, further research is needed to identify the most significant sources. Although vacuuming has been previously suggested to help reduce MNP exposures in the home, the results from this study found that vacuuming was associated with an increased deposition of polycarbonate MNPs due to resuspension of the particles. More investigation is needed to understand the role of vacuuming and dynamics of MNP movement within the home.
In a next step, the researchers are measuring MNPs in blood and urine samples collected from persons in those same households. The goal of these measurements is to investigate whether MNP levels in the household correlate with MNP levels in the body and how these concentrations change over time.
Reference
Durkin et al. (2026) “Determinants and Potential Sources of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Settled Household Dust: A Repeated Sampling Study.” Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances. DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2026.101535
