Investigation of the Exposure of Schoolchildren to Ultrafine Particles (PM0.1) during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Medium-Sized City in Indonesia.

The health risk of schoolchildren who were exposed to airborne fine and ultrafine particles (PM0.1) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Jambi City (a medium-sized city in Sumatra Island), Indonesia was examined. A questionnaire survey was used to collect information on schoolchildren from selected schools and involved information on personal profiles; living conditions; daily activities and health status. Size-segregated ambient particulate matter (PM) in school environments was collected over a period of 24 h on weekdays and the weekend. The personal exposure of PM of eight selected schoolchildren from five schools was evaluated for a 12-h period during the daytime using a personal air sampler for PM0.1 particles. The schoolchildren spent their time mostly indoors (~88%), while the remaining ~12% was spent in traveling and outdoor activities. The average exposure level was 1.5~7.6 times higher than the outdoor level and it was particularly high for the PM0.1 fraction (4.8~7.6 times). Cooking was shown to be a key parameter that explains such a large increase in the exposure level. The PM0.1 had the largest total respiratory deposition doses (RDDs), particularly during light exercise. The high level of PM0.1 exposure by indoor sources potentially associated with health risks was shown to be important.

Identification of fibrous suspended atmospheric microplastics in Bandung Metropolitan Area, Indonesia.

Most research mainly focused on microplastics in the aquatics and terrestrial environment, whereas studies related to microplastics in the atmospheric environment are still limited. This study aims to identify microplastics in Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) in two different spatial areas. The measurement and study was to represent the commercial area (urban area) and residential area (sub-urban) in Greater Bandung City, Indonesia. Suspected microplastics were identified by visual observation using a digital microscope, then were confirmed by the hot needle test method. Microplastics fibres were found in all samples with a concentration range of 0.3-0.6 particles/m3 in the commercial area and 0.1-0.3 particles/m3 in the residential area. Black is the dominant colour of microplastics both in the commercial and residential areas, which counted up to 77.2% and 81.8% respectively. Microplastics fibres have various sizes, with the dominant size ranging from 1000 to 1400 µm in the commercial area and 600-1000 µm in the residential area. The proven occurrence of microplastics in Greater Bandung Region and in other parts of the world can be used to attract attention on further study on source, fate, impact, and possibility of a new air quality monitoring parameter.