[RESEARCH NOTE]
Philippine Journal of Science
153 (5): 1751-1756, October 2024
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 06 Mar 2024
Microplastics in the Road Dust of Iligan City, the Philippines
Jeron Bet B. Tejano1, Kent Naiah D. Araña1, Elizer B. Eleccion1, Manilyn E. Laya-og1, Charm Desiree S. Palasol1, Celine S. Pimentel1, Frandel Louis S. Dagoc1, Rodolfo A. Romarate II1, and Hernando P. Bacosa1,2*
1Department of Environmental Science, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Iligan City, Lanao del Norte 9200 the Philippines 2Mindanao State University Main Campus Bataraza Extension, Bataraza, Palawan 5306 the Philippines
*Corresponding author: hernando.bacosa@g.msuiit.edu.ph
Tejano JB et al. 2024. Microplastics in the Road Dust of Iligan City, the Philippines [Research Note]. Philipp J Sci 153(5): 1751–1756.
ABSTRACT
Microplastic (MP) pollution in the environment has become an increasingly common problem in the Philippines. Despite its growing evidence in biotic and abiotic ecosystems in the country, there is a dearth of knowledge of its deposition in road dust. MPs can be suspended in the atmosphere and may originate from road dust through point sources – prompting respiratory tract infections and countless other health problems when humans breathe. These notions lead us to investigate the presence of MPs in road dust in Iligan City, the Philippines. Specifically, three stations were assessed within the city’s urban streets – namely Brgy. Tibanga, Brgy. Poblacion, and Brgy. Palao. In each station, sampling was done by placement of three quadrats in both right- and left-hand traffic of the road. The road dust from each quadrat was collected and filtrated using the sieving method, which was categorized according to particle size. The samples were then digested in a solution and filtrated using a vacuum system in a secured laboratory. The suspected road dust MPs (RDMPs) were isolated through microscopy analysis, and their maximum dimension was measured. Each suspected RDMP was then analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis to confirm their polymer types. Herein, the results confirm that the RDMPs particle size ranged from ≤ 100 µm to ≤ 5000 µm. Their most dominant characteristics were being a fibrous type of materials and blue color – equivalent to 90.7%. Additionally, their polymer types are mostly polyester (58.3%) – followed by ethylene propylene (25%), ethylene vinyl acetate (8.3%), and polyacrylamide (8.3%). Therefore, these results strongly indicate that RDMPs can in fact be found in the streets of Iligan City. This is also the first evidence in the Philippines that highly recommends that there is a need to further understand the extent of RDMP pollution in the country.
Keywords: FTIR analysis, Iligan City, Philippines, polyester, road dust microplastic (RDMP), urban streets