Microplastics databaseOtherChecked 2026-10-01
Microplastics in indoor dust falling onto food during meals
A 2018 Scottish study counted fibers from indoor dust falling onto the plate during meals at home and estimated 13,731–68,415 per person per year. That is orders of magnitude more than the amount coming from mussels (123 per year in the UK).
Amounts found in studies
| Study | What was tested | Size range and method | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catarino et al. (2018) | Home dining tables, wild mussels | — (confirmed in the abstract) | Fall during meals: 13,731–68,415 per person per year. From mussels: 123 per year in the UK, up to 4,620 in countries with high mussel consumption |
Results can differ by orders of magnitude depending on the smallest particle size counted and whether particles are counted or weighed. Numbers from different studies cannot be compared directly (→ Why numbers differ).
Good to know
- The material of the fibers that fell and the lower limit of the size counted could not be confirmed in the abstract.
Data from Japan
No study of Japanese homes was found.
Types of plastic found
Related explainers
Sources
- Catarino AI et al. Environ Pollut 2018;237:675-684 (PMID 29604577)
Last checked 2026-10-01. “Confirmed in the abstract” means we report only what the paper's abstract says. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.
Public bodies such as WHO, FAO and EFSA do not currently recommend that individuals avoid any particular food because of microplastics. This page lists facts from research and public agencies' documents; it does not judge whether a food is good or bad.