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Sweetening the (microplastics) pill: PET tablets (1-100µm) as candidate reference material for the validation of microplastics measurement
Summary
This study proposed standardized PET reference material tablets in the 1-100 micron range to address the lack of validated analytical standards that prevents comparison of microplastic data across laboratories and methods. The candidate reference materials were designed to mimic environmentally relevant particle properties and support validation of monitoring methods for food and environmental samples.
The lack of validation and standard procedures in microplastics studies have led to the inability to compare and harmonise data from different analytical methods, laboratories and time scales. To monitor and regulate exposure to microplastics in the environment and in food for human health, it is crucial to ensure their comparability and to validate the analytical methods used in microplastics studies. Monitoring microplastics requires complex approaches for accurate determination otherwise it can lead to an over- or underestimation in environmental and food-relevant matrices. Moreover, to support the need of reliable measurement required by the European legislation directive on drinking water (EU 2020/2184) or the revision of the urban waste water directive, which will be finalised in 2024; the production and validation of polymeric reference materials with environmentally relevant concentrations, irregular shapes, defined aging status and different sizes is essential. The production of reference material with acceptable uncertainties in homogeneity need to be balanced, considering the low microplastics concentrations detected in the environment and in food. The aim of the project PLASTICTRACE and of this study, is to propose a "easy-to-use PET tablet" (PET particle size mainly 1-100 µm) for routine applications as a candidate reference material for detection methods. Batches of water-soluble matrix containing different concentrations of PET powder were produced. Results of imaging and counting methods (SEM, Laser diffraction), including production´s challenges will be presented together with thermo-analytical methods (TED-GC/MS and Py-GC/MS) and vibrational spectroscopy (µ-Raman and µ-FTIR). These data are useful to assess homogeneity and stability of the particles over time according to ISO 33405:2024. In addition, we will show some insights on the application of the PET-tablets in complex matrices, as milk powder and suspended solid from surface water, which could be easily used for routine microplastics analysis. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558924/document