Cycle/Years
39th cycle [2023-2026]
Contacts
Supervisors
Dr. Jacopo La Nasa and Prof. Francesca Modugno. External Co-supervisor: Dr. Lorenzo Palumbo Istituto Superiore di Sanità.
Title of the PhD project
Study of airborne microplastics and environmental pollutants
Abstract of the PhD project
Plastic pollution presents a significant challenge to ecosystems and human health worldwide. Improper waste management has led to a pervasive presence of plastic and plastic waste derived pollution in the environment. Plastic debris undergo degradation processes such as mechanical, chemical, photo-oxidation, and biotic degradation, resulting in the formation of small particles and fibers known as microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). MPs are defined as plastic particles ranging in size from 1 µm to 5 mm, while NPs are smaller particles, < 1 µm. MPs can be found in all types of ecosystems, from soil to aquatic systems. However, studies of microplastics and nanoplastics in the atmosphere remain limited. Due to the small size and low density (0.9-1.4 g cm-3 for most common plastics), MPs can be suspended in the atmosphere by wind or air turbulence and remain in the air for long periods. Those particles can be inhaled and cause health issues: airborne MPs and NPs can move in the thoracic region penetrating the deeper alveolar areas of the lungs and can be linked to various diseases.
The PhD project aims to develop and compare analytical methods and investigation approaches to collect data on the type and amount of airborne microplastics in open and confined environments. The target is to contribute to evaluate the impact and risks associated to airborne MPs and NPs. Environmental samples analysis will employ techniques based on analytical pyrolysis, coupled with mass spectrometry detection, facilitating qualitative and quantitative assessments of airborne MPs and NPs. The application of further analysis, such as spectroscopies and microscopies, will enhance the investigation of these environmental pollutants. The PhD project will be developed within a network of collaborations involving public institutions Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) and the Istituto Nazionale Assicurazione Infortuni sul Lavoro (INAIL). This collaboration will make it possible to study microplastic pollution not only from a chemical point of view, but also from a “one-health” perspective.
Academic Fields and Disciplines (SSD), main and secondary
CHIM01
International and National Experience
• Norwegian Institute of Air Research (NILU), Tromsø, Norway 06/2025 – 08/2025
Conducted research focused on airborne MPs sampling, recovery efficiency analyses, and the assessment of inorganic diluent as a factor influencing recovery yields, under the supervision of Dr. Natascha Schmidt.
• Department of Environment and Health, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy 10/2024 – 04/2025
Sampling strategy and analysis method for the quantification of airborne microplastics in working environments using fluorescence microscopy at the National Institute of Health (ISS) based in Rome, Italy, under the supervision of Dr. Lorenzo Palumbo.
• R&D Department of Frontier Laboratories Ltd., Koriyama, Japan 02/2024 – 04/2024
Validation of analytical methods for the quantification of airborne microplastics in environmental samples using advanced techniques of pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) with different inorganic diluents at the R&D department of Frontier Laboratories Ltd., based in Koriyama, Japan, under the supervision of Dr. Ichi Watanabe.
Publications
• L. Barlucchi, G. Biale, J. La Nasa, M. Mattonai, S. Pezzini, A. Corti, V. Castelvetro, F. Modugno, “Abiotic degradation and accelerated ageing of microplastics from biodegradable and recycled materials in artificial seawater”, Science of the Total Environment, 2024, 954, 173031, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176832
• D. Pomata, J. La Nasa, G. Biale, L. Barlucchi, P. Di Filippo, C. Riccardi, F. Buiarelli, F. Modugno, G. Simonetti, “Plastic breath: Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particles”, Science of The Total Environment, 2024, 932, 173031, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173031
Communications at conferences
• L. Barlucchi, J. La Nasa, C. Campanale, A. Piccardi, M. De Rossi, F. Modugno, L. Palumbo Breathing plastic: quantifying indoor airborne microplastics in industrial workplaces using Py-GC-MS and fluorescence microscopy, International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, 19/10 - 22/10 2025, Ischia, Italy_Oral
• L. Barlucchi, J. La Nasa, C. Campanale, A. Piccardi, M. De Rossi, F. Modugno, L. Palumbo Microplastics in indoor air: a dual-method approach for detection and quantification, XXXI Congresso Nazionale della Divisione di Chimica Analitica della Società Chimica Italiana, 07/09 - 11/09 2025, Pisa, Italy_Poster
• L. Barlucchi, J. La Nasa, C. Campanale, A. Piccardi, M. De Rossi, F. Modugno, L. Palumbo Novel approach for estimating airborne microplastics concentration in plastic processing workplaces XXII European Conference on Analytical Chemistry 31/08 - 04/09 2025, Barcelona, Spain_Oral
• L. Barlucchi, J. La Nasa, G. Biale, A. Ceccarini, P. Di Filippo, D. Pomata, C. Riccardi, F. Buiarelli, G. Simonetti, F. Modugno, Quantification of microplastics and polymer additives in airborne particulate and settled dust in indoor environments, XXVIII National Congress of Società Chimica Italiana, Milan, 26-30 August 2024_Poster
• L. Barlucchi, J. La Nasa, G. Biale, A. Ceccarini, P. Di Filippo, D. Pomata, C. Riccardi, F. Buiarelli, G. Simonetti, F. Modugno, Quantification of airborne microplastics and related additives in indoor particulate and settled dust collected in a working environment, CFF 2024 Chemistry For the Future International Conference, Pisa, 03-05 July 2024_Poster
• L. Barlucchi, G. Biale, J. La Nasa, M. Mattonai, S. Pezzini, A. Corti, V. Castelvetro, F. Modugno, Studio della degradazione di plastiche biodegradabili durante invecchiamento in acqua di mare, Workshop Plastiche & Ambiente, Ravenna, 06 June 2024_Poster
Funding
PNRR ex DM 118_2023 – Public Administration PhD Scholarship
