Non‐Targeted Analysis of Plastic Additives

Abstract This article presents an examination of non‐targeted analysis and suspect‐screening approaches in the identification and measurement of plastic additives and related contaminants. Four distinct case studies are highlighted, each demonstrating the utility of these techniques in various environmental contexts. The first study utilizes non‐targeted analysis for rapid fingerprinting of microplastics, illuminating sources of plastic pollution. The second investigation emphasizes the role of particle size in the leaching of plastic additives used in tires, with non‐targeted analysis revealing differences in chemical profiles based on particle size. The third case study introduces the novel technique of ‘smart suspect screening’, combining non‐targeted analysis and suspect screening to identify environmentally relevant compounds and their transformation products in the environment. The final study demonstrates the power of suspect screening in characterizing persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) plastic additives. Together, these case studies underscore the value of non‐targeted analysis and suspect screening in addressing plastic pollution as a complex chemical mixture problem, advancing our understanding of emerging contaminant threats from plastics. Rigorous data filtering, quality assurance, and reporting standards are emphasized to ensure the credibility and utility of the obtained results.