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Plastic-on-Plastic: Underestimated Contamination Risks in Micro- and Nanoplastic Research
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Researchers reviewed how the plastic lab equipment, airborne fibers, and purified water used in microplastic and nanoplastic experiments contribute unintended contamination to samples, demonstrating scenarios where laboratory-derived particles can match or exceed intended experimental doses and thereby skew dose-response findings.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are detected in nearly every environmental and biological sample, yet most experiments evaluating their presence and effects take place in laboratories already contaminated with MNPs. Pipette tips, plastic tubes, culture plates, filters, water systems and indoor air all shed MNPs, and, as a result, the lab itself becomes an unaccounted exposure source. At low environmentally relevant doses, this hidden background can reach or even exceed the intended experimental concentrations. This can bias exposure estimates and experimental readouts. This review synthesizes evidence on laboratory plastic contamination in MNP research. Here, we outline the major sources, airborne fibres, purified water and storage containers, plastic consumables and media preparation. We then use these data to construct scenarios of cumulative contamination for typical biological and environmental workflows, highlighting conditions under which laboratory-derived particles can approach or exceed nominal experimental doses. Finally, we analyse how this background inflates and underestimates experimental doses, generates unintended mixed-polymer exposures, and interferes with particle identification and dose–response analysis.
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Researchers systematically tested common laboratory materials and procedures for plastic contamination and found that water sources, airflow, dust, and even glassware can introduce significant amounts of micro- and nanoplastics into samples. Surprisingly, glass consumables and aluminum foil, both commonly recommended as contamination controls, were themselves sources of plastic particles. The findings highlight that current best practices for preventing sample contamination in microplastic research may need to be revised.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.