In this application note, we demonstrate the quantitative analysis of microplastics using direct thermal desorption (TD) combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Direct desorption of filtrates containing microplastics provides a simple and streamlined sample preparation step while GC–MS analysis produces informationrich volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles. The VOC profiles contain marker compounds to identify and quantify the plastic, along with other chemical signatures that could prove useful in source apportionment, toxicity assessment and regional profiling.
Analysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles from bottled drinks is shown to deliver fast, reproducible, quantitative results, providing plastic concentrations in µg/L for particles as small as 0.3 µm in diameter.
Microplastics have been found to pollute our oceans, soil, air, drinking water and food. They are defined as particles or polymeric fibres 1 µm to 5 mm1 in diameter and come from a range of sources including clothing, bottles, food packaging, toys and vehicle tyres.
The potential threat to the environment and human health is driving the need for the standardised measurement and regulation of microplastics. In January 2019, ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) proposed a restriction on the intentional use of microplastics in products placed on the European Union/European Economic Area market to avoid or reduce their release into the environment.2 The proposal is currently at the consultation phase.
A report by the World Health Organization (WHO), published in the same year, examines evidence related to microplastics in the water cycle (including tap and bottled water and its sources), the potential impact on health after exposure to microplastics and the removal of microplastics during wastewater and drinking water treatments.3 In the report, the WHO includes recommendations for taking action such as monitoring and managing microplastics in the environment.
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