What are microplastics
Learn what microplastics are, where it comes from and what risks it poses for our environment and ourselves.
Microplastics are small bits of plastic, 5 millimeters or less, and either engineered for end-products, or the result of environmental degradation of polymer-based trash.
Researchers have found microplastics in marine and terrestrial life. It invades the food chain, and it’s even been found in salt, sugar, beer, alcohol, and honey. Not to mention glaciers and rainwater.
Raman spectroscopy plays a key role in identifying the types and origins of microplastics. It’s part of the efforts to develop policies and procedures for controlling the amount of microplastics introduced into our ecosystem. We look at the issues you face, and its effect on the biosphere and human health.
HORIBA solutions are suitable for beginners as well as for the most demanding users and our expertise and knowledge provide support as you study microplastics.
Microplastics are small bits of plastic, 5 millimeters or less, and either engineered for end-products, or the result of environmental degradation of polymer-based trash.
Researchers have found microplastics in marine and terrestrial life. It invades the food chain, and it’s even been found in salt, sugar, beer, alcohol, and honey. Not to mention glaciers and rainwater.
Primary microplastics are directly released into the environment as small plastic particles. These are intentionally engineered particles, like those found in some consumer and industrial products. Cosmetics have used microplastics as abrasives.
Secondary microplastics are the result of the degradation of large plastic waste, like plastic bags and bottles, into smaller plastic fragments when exposed to our environment.
Manufacturers engineer primary microplastics because of the unique physical and chemical properties created by its small scale. Those properties include durability, rigidity and abrasiveness. Density, size, shape and composition influence its properties.
Scientists use microplastics in many areas, including cosmetics, personal care, detergents, paints/coatings/inks, industrial abrasives, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, wastewater treatment and construction.
But these particles often weather, degrade or abrade from environmental or physical events, ending up in our oceans and elsewhere.
Ordinary consumer products are the source of most of the ocean’s primary microplastics, according to a study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). That includes synthetic textiles, city dust, tires, road markings, marine coatings, personal care products and engineered plastic pellets.
Microplastics can be toxic, depending on its composition. It can also act as a carrier of other molecules that cling to it. Some of those clinging molecules are bacterial, and others, viral.
Scientists fear the cumulative buildup of these toxins might affect the health of living organisms. Yet researchers are unsure about the volume of microplastics a body can tolerate or the damage it may cause.
What we do know is this - consuming microplastics can physically damage organs and leech hazardous chemicals like pesticides. Scientists have shown that these substances can weaken immune function and hinder growth and reproduction.
The World Health Organization reported in 2019 that the current level of microplastics in drinking water doesn't pose a health risk—yet. But the group said we need to know more.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins looked at the impact of eating seafood contaminated with microplastics. Their conclusion? The accumulated plastic we take in could damage the immune system and upset a gut's balance.
Still, the research on health effects are slim. Recent research, through particle analysis and Raman spectroscopy has begun to identify various microplastic types. Scientist are developing sampling, extraction and analysis methods so we can trace these particles back to its sources. That way, we can create public policy to address this potential threat.
A typical analysis workflow for Microplastics separation, counting and identification by means of spectroscopic techniques required five main steps: Sampling, sample preparation or sample pretreatment, filtration, measure/data acquisition and finally, analyze/report.
Considering the Microplastic analysis workflow and the needs and challenges facing scientists approaching it, we developed a full solution to help our existing and future users by providing all the tools needed in a single bundle.
Our booklet
Filtration kit
A filtration apparatus to get started with Microplastic analysis.
Filters, filter holder and VRM (Video Raman Matching)
A box of Silicon filters with a dedicated holde, developed and optimized for the square filters to facilitate the analysis.
A VRM (Video Raman Matching) stage with patented NanoGPS technology to confidently localize your particles down to the minimum size range allowed.
Microplastics standard
A set of tablets with a mixture of polymers particles (PVC, …) of known size distribution and number to validate your lab environment and workflow.
Choice of two Raman platforms
XploRA™ PLUS
Raman Spectrometer - Confocal Raman Microscope
LabRAM Soleil
Raman Microscope
Both Raman microscopes can be equipped with a standard detector (CCD - Charge Couple Device) or imaging detector (EMCCD - Electron Multiplied Charge Couple Device).
LabSpec 6 is the software platform common to both systems for complete instrument control and data processing, along with additional tools in the Microplastic package. It includes:
Raman Spectroscope - Automated Imaging Microscope
MicroRaman Spectrometer - Confocal Raman Microscope
Affordable Benchtop Raman Spectrometer
AFM-Raman for Physical and Chemical imaging
Confocal Raman Microscope
Automated Particle Measurement, Identification and Classification using Raman Analysis
Raman Spectral Searching
Simultaneous Multi-Laser Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA)
Microplastics explained part I
Dr. Chelsea Rochman breaks down what we know, what we don’t, and what we want to know. Alterra Sanchez describes the big risks and factors involved.
Microplastics explained part II
What is Dr. Chelsea Rochman doing with microplastics? Part II gives us a look into the Rochman Lab and the work being done there. Alterra Sanchez tells us the importance of her research as well.
Download this special issue of HORIBA's bi-annual technical journal 'Readout'. In publication for over 30 years, the Readout is designed to help readers understand our proprietary products and technologies.
The featured topic of this issue is “Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Analysis and Method Development.” This special issue illustrates the important work and many capabilities of HORIBA and leading academic researchers to analyze and monitor microplastics and nanoplastics.
Download the HORIBA Readout
Watch the webinar: Analysis of Morphology and Chemical ID of Micro-Particles Using Particle Correlated Raman Spectroscopy
If you are interested analysing microplastics, watch the webinar sponsored by HORIBA Scientific with Spectroscopy Magazine
In this webinar, the technique of particle correlated Raman spectroscopy (PCRS) will be presented, and will be illustrated by representative application examples from fields including forensics, pharmaceuticals/cosmetics, and microplastics. Included will be a discussion of handling and preparation of a variety of sample types including powders, tablets, and suspensions.
Watch the webinar on using Raman spectroscopy for the characterization of Microplastics
If you are interested microplastics and how they threaten our environment and health, watch the webinar sponsored by HORIBA Scientific with Spectroscopy Magazine
Tackling the Environmental Threat of Microplastics Using Raman Spectroscopy
Learn how Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify and characterize unknown microplastic samples, including pigments and additives.
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