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Suspension of micro- and nanoplastic test materials: Liquid compatibility, (bio)surfactants, toxicity and environmental relevance
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This review addresses a fundamental challenge in microplastic health research: how to properly prepare and store plastic test particles for laboratory experiments so that results are reliable and relevant to real-world conditions. The authors evaluate the chemical stability of nine common plastics in various liquids and examine how to prevent particles from clumping together during testing. Getting these methods right is essential because poorly prepared test materials could lead to inaccurate conclusions about whether microplastics are harmful to human health.
Micro- and nanoplastics have been detected in environmental compartments from the highest mountains to the deepest seas. They have been shown to be present at almost all trophic levels, and within humans they have been detected in numerous organs and human stool. Whilst their ubiquitous nature is indisputable, little is known about the health risks they may present. Much current research is focussed on the production of test materials with which to perform the necessary health studies. An important aspect of this is the correct storage and suspension of the materials to ensure they remain stable both chemically and with regards to size and shape. In this review, we look at the chemical stability of nine common polymers in a range of liquids; first with the use of commercial compatibility charts and then with a more quantitative approach using Hansen solubility parameters. We then look at stability with regards to particle agglomeration, whether and how stable compositions can be predicted, and which dispersants can be added to increase stability. Finally, we discuss the role of bio-surfactants and the eco-corona and how these may offer a route to both better stability and environmental relevance.
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