Plastic has become integral to our lives because of its properties: low manufacturing cost, easy accessibility, light weight, and versatility. Its extensive use has put tremendous pressure on the environment, i.e. air, water, and soil. Increased production and usage of plastic among the urban populace have resulted in a massive generation of micro and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs), which today have emerged as new sources of environmental pollutants (UNEP 2018; Choudhury et al. 2022). Research on the existence of MPs/NPs in the ambient atmosphere has gained momentum over the last few years (Dris et al. 2015; Zhang et al. 2020a, b); societal and ecological concerns due to atmospheric MPs/NPs have resulted in more studies. Since the studies on atmospheric MPs/NPs are still in their initial stage, more active research is needed to understand their atmospheric origin or sources, distribution, life cycle, impact on different living organisms, etc. This chapter addressed the issue of MPs and NPs in the atmosphere, including information on their sources, distribution, and impacts on many living beings and air quality. At first, it focused on the importance of clean air for life support and the need for air quality monitoring policies for MPs and NPs. Afterwards, it examined the pathways by which MPs and NPs entered the atmosphere, highlighting their ubiquitousness in various environmental compartments. Furthermore, it discussed the harmful impacts of MPs and NPs on the environment and human health, focusing on how they affect various plant, animal, and human species. Then, it included an overview of atmospheric MPs and NP studies, focusing primarily on the limited research carried out in developing nations like India. Lastly, it described the approaches for detecting and analysing MPs/NPs in the air, highlighting the significance of standardized methods and additional research to understand this environmental problem’s scope thoroughly.