New research has
confirmed that methylsiloxanes, a group of silicone-based chemicals, are one of
the most common synthetic chemicals found in air pollution. Researchers
from Utrecht University and the University of Groningen published the findings
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. They measured high levels of the
chemicals across Europe and South America. Methylsiloxanes are common
ingredients in personal care products, industrial materials, household goods,
and lubricating oils. The study found that vehicle and ship exhaust release
more methylsiloxanes than previously thought. The researchers estimated that
methylsiloxanes account for about 2% to 4.3% of organic aerosols in the
atmosphere, making them among the most common synthetic materials found in air
pollution. Urban areas were found to have higher levels of the chemicals. The
levels of these chemicals in the air exceed those of PFAS, microplastics, and
nanoplastics.
Methylsiloxanes are
chemically stable, which keeps them accumulating in the air. Not much is known
about their health effects. The study suggests that over half of
methylsiloxanes may be coming from vehicle exhaust. More research is needed to
determine how long they remain in the air and the effects of long-term
exposure.
According to The Business
Standard:
“Researchers explained that engine lubricants containing
methylsiloxanes can enter combustion chambers during vehicle operation. Because
the compounds are highly heat-resistant, they do not fully break down and are
released into the air through exhaust emissions.”
Methylsiloxanes can modify
aerosol surface tension, influencing how aerosols affect cloud formation. They
may also interfere with ice nucleation, which also affects cloud formation and
other atmospheric processes. In turn, they may also affect climate change. The
paper notes:
“Their surface-tension-lowering and antifreezing
properties may further influence the physical behavior and climatic effects of
aerosols.”
The researchers found that large molecular methylsiloxanes
have a similar dispersion pattern to long-chain hydrocarbons, which are
commonly present in engine oil. These similarities strongly suggest that the
compounds share the same emission source, which is engine oil lubricants.
According to Phys.org:
“Interestingly, the concentration of these long-chain
hydrocarbons does decrease strongly during atmospheric transport and dilution,
whereas the concentration of methylsiloxane does not. In fact, a substantial
fraction persists as large molecular methylsiloxanes. According to the
researchers, this underscores that large molecular methylsiloxanes are
chemically very stable and likely to be transported over long distances.”
The methylsiloxanes were
detected via thermal-desorption proton transfer
reaction mass spectrometry. The lower concentrations found in rural areas and
forests suggest that dilution occurs with transport, as would be expected.
References:
Scientists
discover little-known pollutant now widespread in the air. Hope Nguyen. The
Cool Down. May 14, 2026. Scientists
discover little-known pollutant now widespread in the air
Scientists
find widespread silicone pollutant in air, raising health and climate concerns.
The Business Standard. May 13, 2026. Scientists
find widespread silicone pollutant in air, raising health and climate concerns
| The Business Standard
A
newly recognized pollutant is widely present in the atmosphere. Utrecht
University. edited by Stephanie Baum, reviewed by Robert Egan. Phys.org. April
16, 2026. A
newly recognized pollutant is widely present in the atmosphere
Widespread
occurrence of large molecular methylsiloxanes in ambient aerosols. Peng Yao,
Rupert Holzinger, Beatriz Sayuri Oyama, Agne Masalaite, Dipayan Paul, Haiyan
Ni, Hanne Noto, Dušan Materić, Maria de Fátima Andrade, Ru-Jin Huang, and
Ulrike Dusek. Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics. Volume 26, issue 7. ACP, 26,
5005–5018, 2026. ACP
- Widespread occurrence of large molecular methylsiloxanes in ambient aerosols
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