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Sweetening the (microplastics) pill: PET tablets (1-100µm) as candidate reference material for the validation of microplastics measurement
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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
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Sweetening the (microplastics) pill: PET tablets (1-100µm) as candidate reference material for the validation of microplastics measurement
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Researchers proposed standardized PET tablet reference materials in the 1-100 micron size range to address the lack of validated procedures in microplastic analysis, which limits comparability across studies and laboratories. Harmonized reference materials are presented as essential for monitoring microplastic exposure in the environment and food.
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This review examines the critical role of reference materials (RMs) in standardizing microplastic detection and measurement in food products, highlighting existing examples like PET particles and soda tablet capsule RMs used in laboratory intercomparisons. Standardized RMs are essential for producing comparable, reproducible data on microplastic contamination in food—a prerequisite for meaningful regulatory action and human exposure assessment.
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This paper presented a proof-of-concept approach for generating standardized reference microplastic particles to improve comparability across analytical methods. The lack of consistent reference materials has been a key barrier to producing reliable and comparable microplastic research data.
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