Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area

Nowhere is clean: Study finds plastic in supposedly 'clean' air

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Dec 2021 22:12
2 Min Read

A Study made by the French national research institute CNRS showed that microplastic particles roam the air in even the 'cleanest' locations on earth.

  • x
  • Microplastics
    Microplastics

According to research released Tuesday, microplastics are found everywhere, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, and even up in the Earth's troposphere, where wind speeds allow them to travel great distances. 

Microplastics are microscopic fragments that measure less than 5 mm and have been found on land, in water, and in the air. They come from packaging, clothing, cars, and other sources.

Scientists from the French national research institute CNRS sampled The Pic du Midi Observatory in the French Pyrenees, a so-called "clean station" due to the low influence put on it by the local climate and environment.

Between June and October 2017, they analyzed 10,000 cubic meters of air every week and discovered microplastics in all samples.

Related News

Europe losing green land at alarming rate, investigation reveals

Vietnam prepares for Typhoon Bualoi with evacuations amid climate risk

They computed the paths of various air masses preceding each sample using weather data and found sources as far away as North Africa and North America.

The particles were able to travel such enormous distances only after reaching such high altitudes, according to the study's lead author Steve Allen of Dalhousie University in Canada.

"Once it hits the troposphere, it's like a superfast highway," Allen said, adding that the marine source is "the most interesting," pointing to microplastic sources in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. "It's just moving around and around in an indefinite cycle."

While the quantities of microplastics in the Pic du Midi samples don't pose a health risk, research co-author Deonie Allen sees the particles are small enough for humans to breathe in. He claims that their presence in a zone that is supposed to be protected and far away from pollution sources should make people think twice.

Allen commented that disposing of plastic abroad by the shipping is a flawed strategy. "It's going to come back to you," he said.

  • air
  • Air pollution
  • Environment
  • plastic
  • microplastic

Most Read

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh: Egypt

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS