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Small micro- and nanoplastic test and reference materials for research: Current status and future needs
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This review highlights the lack of realistic test materials for studying small microplastics and nanoplastics, noting that most lab studies use uniform, spherical particles that do not represent what is actually found in the environment. Better reference materials that match the irregular shapes, sizes, and chemical makeup of real-world plastic particles are needed to accurately assess risks to organisms and human health.
Abstract Environmental plastic pollution comprises partially degraded particles representing a continuum of sizes, shapes, polymer types and chemical compositions. Owing to their potential for biological uptake, small microplastic particles (sMP; <100 μm) and nanoplastics (NPs) are considered to be a potential risk to organisms. Understanding how sMPs and NPs behave in the environment, and how environmental matrices affect their detection, is fundamental to quantifying exposures, assessing hazards and understanding these risks. For this purpose, high-quality, well-characterised and environmentally relevant test and reference materials are crucial. The current lack of environmentally relevant sMP and NP reference materials has resulted in many studies applying commercially available spherical, homogenous and monodisperse particles, typically produced for specific purposes and without environmental relevance. There is a need for sMP and NP test/reference materials for fate and effects assessments and analytical protocol validation that more accurately represent the sMP and NP present in the environment. To date, feasible methods for producing relevant sMP and NP test materials in sufficient quantities for environmental fate and effects studies remain lacking. The current review provides an overview and comparison of the available methods, highlighting those that show the most promise for producing environmentally relevant sMP and NP with further development and optimisation.
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Small micro- and nanoplastic test and reference materials for research: Current status and future needs
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This review highlights the critical shortage of well-characterized, environmentally relevant reference materials for studying small microplastics and nanoplastics. Most laboratory studies use commercially available spherical particles that do not represent the irregular, weathered particles found in nature. The authors call for developing standardized reference materials that better mimic real-world microplastic contamination to improve the reliability of exposure and hazard assessments.
Author comment: Small micro- and nanoplastic test and reference materials for research: Current status and future needs — R0/PR1
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Most microplastic research relies on perfectly round, uniform lab-made plastic beads that don't reflect the irregular, weathered particles actually found in rivers and oceans. This review identifies the best existing methods for creating more realistic small microplastic and nanoplastic test materials, and highlights why developing better reference standards is essential before scientists can reliably measure exposure levels and assess true environmental and health risks.
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