Airborne microplastic deposition at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort India

A new study identifies airborne microplastic (MP) deposition at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, India's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, revealing a potential threat to their conservation. The research confirms the presence of multiple polymers—polyethylene (PE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA)—with fibres being the dominant form. Advanced techniques like FTIR spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, and XRD were used to analyze dust samples, uncovering weathered surfaces that suggest MPs may accelerate deterioration of marble and sandstone by enhancing sorption of pollutants and microbial colonization. While the study establishes occurrence and material identity, it highlights the need for future quantitative analysis of MP deposition rates and urban air-quality management to protect these heritage sites.

Banerjee, D., & Singh, M. R. (2026). Airborne microplastic deposition at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort India. Discover Environment, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-026-00611-9