Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001389/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Biljana Borzan (S&D)
An expanding body of scientific research confirms the presence of microplastics in atmospheric particulate matter, including PM 2.5 and PM 10 fractions. Inhalation of these particles, particularly in urban and industrial areas, represents a potentially significant route of human exposure, with implications for respiratory and systemic health.
Currently, EU legislation on microplastics focuses primarily on the contamination of water and soil. Emissions of airborne microplastics – arising from tyre and road wear, industrial processes, construction activities, and the degradation of synthetic textiles – remain largely unregulated, creating a potential gap in the EU’s environmental and public health policy framework.
In this context:
- 1.Can the Commission clarify whether it intends to expand existing legislative instruments, such as Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, to explicitly include airborne microplastics within the scope of air quality monitoring and regulation?
- 2.Furthermore, is the Commission considering incorporating this issue into legislation on occupational health and industrial emissions?
- 3.Finally, does the Commission plan to support the development of harmonised methodologies for monitoring airborne microplastics and the establishment of science-based threshold exposure levels for both indoor and outdoor environments?
Submitted: 4.4.2025