Microplastics Testing Laboratory

Microplastics Testing                                                           Contact: John Passero
                                                                                                                                                                               1-800-220-3675 ext. 3604
                                                                                                                                                                                      jpassero@EMSL.com

Microplastics are generally defined as polymeric particles smaller than 5 mm in size in any one dimension, present in waste water, rivers, lakes and oceans. Due to the small size, they may not be easily removed during the waste water filtration processes and can enter the ecosystem, negatively impacting the environment. The common sources of microplastics are: additives in personal care products, synthetic fibers, resin pellets, tire recycling, medical products, abrasion and exfoliating beads used in furniture and insulation, fragments of larger plastic items as they degrade from the effects of ultraviolet rays and other weathering factors. Microplastics can potentially leach toxic chemicals, including endocrine disruption chemicals, such as bisphenol A and phthalates.

The scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. developed testing procedures that allow analyses for presence and particle size of microplasticparticles in water samples using a combination of optical and electron microscopy. Additional characterization of microplastic particles with the use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman Spectroscopy is available, to determine the polymer type and additives.

The analytical results, reported in parameters such as particle count in size ranges, can be used to determine microplasticssources, transport, and fate and help in devising cleanup operations.