HOMEs under the microscope: Citizen-led characterisation Of airborne micropLAstic sources (HOME Co-LAb)

塑料对海洋环境的负面影响已经得到了很好的理解，斯德哥尔摩公约和巴塞尔公约都旨在限制其影响，然而，很少有人注意到它们在空气中的存在。来自稀疏文献的证据表明，从人口稠密的城市环境到北极等偏远环境，空气中充斥着微塑料，纤维状微塑料占主导地位。它们的起源是未知的。室内通过吸入接触空气中的微塑料是一种潜在的重大健康风险，会增加患慢性阻塞性肺病的风险。在一项研究中，在97%的恶性肺标本中发现了植物和塑料纤维。在英国购买的所有纺织品中，服装占75%，众所周知，在洗涤时，服装会向水道中释放大量微塑料。我们假设，衣服在干燥和使用过程中也会向空气中释放大量的二氧化碳。我们的科学和参与方法概述如下。参与设计：项目设计允许不同程度的参与，高参与度的公民参与试点第一阶段的发展和压力测试，这是为了促进第二阶段与那些喜欢低参与度方法的公民的互动。这种利用高度参与的公民为低参与偏好的其他人创造机会的方法，旨在允许与更广泛的社会各界接触，并最大限度地收集样本。该项目将跨越两个阶段。第一阶段（试点）：这一阶段的目的有三个方面。首先，从一系列不同的家庭环境中收集初始微塑料样本；第二，测试各种夹式显微镜的可及性和质量，开发基于python的自动图像分析平台，用于样品分析；第三，收集市民对这些问题的反馈，以改进方法，扩大推广范围。市民将通过社区合作伙伴网络招募。样品还将返回UWE进行拉曼光谱进一步分析，拉曼光谱技术通常用于提供分子结构指纹，通过该指纹可以识别分子，以确定微塑料成分。第二阶段（布里斯托尔和布拉德福德推广）：这一阶段将在布里斯托尔和布拉德福德地区推广试点和改进的抽样、分析和报告方法。市民将使用第一阶段开发的被动采样和分析方法收集数据，并使用定制的图像处理工具进行分析，并通过拉曼光谱进一步分析。此外，市民将与行业互动，了解他们对塑料使用、服装处理和当前行为模式的看法。这些阶段将通过三个工作包交付，在这里进行总结，并在支持案例中更详细地列出。WP1：该工作包将侧重于从各种社区团体中招募公民，确保参与是一种积极、愉快和信息丰富的体验，并在项目成员和参与者之间建立双向对话。WP2：侧重于采样和分析方法的开发和实施。该工作包将在公民的帮助下测试采样程序，为公民开发一个在线平台来分析他们的样品，并允许拉曼样品的制备和分析得到改进。从这个工作包的结果将是粒子计数，形状和微塑料组成的理解。WP3：通过双向对话，将公民和服装行业（空气中微塑料领域的主要利益相关者）聚集在一起，共同制定政策建议，充分利用公民科学的潜力，推动自下而上的变革。

The negative impact of plastics on the marine environment are relatively well understood, and both Stockholm and Basel Conventions aim to limit its impact, however, little attention is paid to their presence in air. Evidence from the sparse literature show that microplastics abound in air, from densely populated urban environments to remote environments such as the Arctic and fibrous microplastics predominate. Their origin is unknown. Indoor exposure to airborne microplastics through inhalation is a potentially significant health risk, increasing the risk of COPD. In one study, plant and plastic fibres were identified in 97% of malignant lung specimens. Clothing accounts for 75% of all textiles bought in the UK and is known to release significant quantities of microplastics into the watercourse when washing. We hypothesise that clothing is also releasing significant quantities into the air during drying and use. An outline of our science and engagement approach is set out below. Engagement Design: The project design allows different levels of engagement, with high engagement citizens undertaking the pilot's developmental and stress-testing Phase 1, which is intended to facilitate interaction in Phase 2 with those citizens preferring a low-engagement approach. This approach of using highly engaged citizens to create opportunities for others with low-engagement preferences is designed to allow for engagement with a broader cross-section of society and maximise sample collection. The project will evolve across two phases. Phase 1 (Pilot): The purpose of this phase is three-fold. First, collect initial microplastic samples from a range of different domestic settings; second, to test the accessibility and quality of various clip-on microscopes, and to develop the python-based automated image analysis platforms for the analysis of samples; and third, to obtain feedback from citizens on these points with a view to improving the method for a wider roll-out. Citizens will be recruited via community partner networks. Samples will also be returned to UWE for further analysis by Raman spectroscopy, a spectroscopic technique typically used to provide a molecular structural fingerprint by which molecules can be identified, to determine microplastic composition. Phase 2 (Bristol and Bradford roll-out): This phase will see the roll-out of the piloted and refined sampling, analysis and reporting approaches to the Bristol and Bradford areas. Citizens will collect data using the passive sampling and analysis approaches developed in Phase 1 and analysis will be undertaken using a bespoke image processing tool and analysed further by Raman spectroscopy. In addition, citizens will interact with industry to understand their perceptions of plastic use, clothing treatment and current behaviour patterns. These phases will be delivered across three work packages, summarised here and set out in more detail within the case for support. WP1: This work package will focus on the recruitment of citizens from a range of community groups, ensuring that participation is a positive, enjoyable and informative experience and establishing a two-way dialogue between project members and participants. WP2: Focuses on the development and implementation of the sampling and analysis approach. This work package will, with the aid of citizens, test the sampling procedures, develop an online platform for citizens to analyse their samples and allow the Raman sample preparation and analysis to be refined. The outcome from this work package will be an understanding of both particle count, shape and microplastic composition. WP3: Brings together citizens and the clothing industry, a key stakeholder in the field of airborne microplastics, through a two-way dialogue, to co-develop policy recommendations leveraging the full potential of citizen science to drive bottom-up change.