Microplastics Testing

Microplastics (MP) are solid, synthetic polymeric particles smaller than 5 millimeters that may contain chemical additives. They originate from primary sources like microbeads added to personal care products, or in most cases, are formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items, clothing fibers, or tire wear (secondary sources). Microplastics are increasingly found in water, soil, food, and in every human organ tested.

As awareness of their health effects and regulation increase, accurate detection and measurement are critical for environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, and public health protection. These issues have initiated a need for measurement of microplastics as a major emerging contaminant for multiple reasons 

• Drinking water testing – states such as California are starting to limit microplastics in drinking water 

• Stormwater, wastewater – to support remediation and removal 

• Ambient measurement – in the environment, in water, soil, tissue and in humans 

• Product testing – especially bottled water and beverages where microplastic concerns are emerging 

• Microplastics are known to sorb organic contaminants such as PCBs, PAHs, PFAS and more from the aqueous phase, which can facilitate the delivery of contaminants into vulnerable organs 

Measuring Microplastics 

The varied shapes, sizes, polymer types, and sample matrix complexity make detection difficult. Also, MPs transform and weather in the environment further complicating measurement. Many methods underestimate particle counts due to limitations in size detection or sample preparation. With microplastics, most of the time, the size, shape, composition and number influence effects rather than the bulk amount. So microplastics need to be counted, characterized and sized almost individually.

There are multiple approaches available for MP testing: