Microplastic pollution in the air may be more widespread in rural environments than in urban centres, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Leeds. The findings challenge the common assumption that cities are the primary hotspots for airborne plastic contamination.
The study found that microscopic plastic particles, invisible to the naked eye, are carried long distances by wind and later trapped by trees and vegetation. Surprisingly, researchers recorded significantly higher levels of airborne microplastics in a rural woodland area compared to a nearby city centre.
During a three-month monitoring period, scientists detected up to 500 microplastic particles per square metre per day in a woodland area in Oxfordshire. This was nearly double the amount found in samples collected from Oxford city centre.
The research team collected air samples every few days from three locations Wytham Woods, a rural woodland; Summertown, a suburban neighbourhood; and central Oxford. The woodland site consistently showed the highest levels of microplastic accumulation.
According to the researchers, trees act as natural filters. As branches and leaves move in the wind, they effectively sweep plastic particles out of the atmosphere, causing them to settle on vegetation rather than remain airborne.
Different plastic types dominate different landscapes
The study also found clear differences in the types of plastics present across locations. In the woodland area, most particles were polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used in clothing fibres and food containers. In the suburban area, polyethylene often used in plastic bags was the dominant material.
In the city centre, the most frequently detected particles were made of ethylene vinyl alcohol, a polymer widely used in food packaging, industrial films and automotive components. Researchers said this variation reflects differences in local sources of plastic pollution.
Pollution cannot be escaped by moving to the countryside
While the full health impacts of microplastics are still being studied, previous research suggests they can cause cellular damage in humans, disrupt soil structure and be harmful to animals. Globally, more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, much of which eventually breaks down into microscopic fragments.
The study’s lead researcher said the findings highlight how difficult environmental pollution is to detect and control, especially when contaminants are airborne and invisible.
The research also challenges the belief that rural areas offer a refuge from pollution. Even locations perceived as clean and natural can accumulate high levels of microplastics due to atmospheric transport.
Researchers stressed that tackling plastic pollution requires collective solutions rather than individual relocation. They said reducing plastic production, improving waste management and limiting the release of microplastics at the source are essential to addressing the growing problem.