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A Novel Strategy to Directly Quantify Polyethylene Microplastics in PM2.5 Based on Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Analytical Chemistry 2023 42 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Zongwei Cai Qingyun He, Peiru Luo, Qingyun He, Peiru Luo, Mengke Bai, Zongwei Cai Mengke Bai, Lingyun Wang, Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Peiru Luo, Qingyun He, Zenghua Qi, Peiru Luo, Qingyun He, Zongwei Cai Zifang Peng, Zifang Peng, Zongwei Cai Zifang Peng, Zifang Peng, Lingyun Wang, Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Yanhao Zhang, Zenghua Qi, Zenghua Qi, Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Wenfen Zhang, Zongwei Cai Chuan Dong, Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zenghua Qi, Yanhao Zhang, Yanhao Zhang, Wenfen Zhang, Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Yanhao Zhang, Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Yanhao Zhang, Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai Zongwei Cai

Summary

Researchers developed a new method using pyrolysis gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to directly measure polyethylene microplastics in fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5). This technique overcomes limitations of visual and spectroscopic methods that struggle to detect very small plastic particles in air samples. The study provides one of the first tools for accurately quantifying microplastics in PM2.5, helping researchers better understand the extent of airborne plastic pollution.

Polymers

Models

Human

The broad application of plastic products has resulted in a considerable release of microplastics (MPs) into the ecosystem. While MPs in other environmental matrices (e.g., soil and water) have been studied for a long time, the atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-bound MPs are rarely investigated due to the lack of an appropriate analytical approach. The prevalently used visual and spectroscopic means (e.g., optical microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy) suffer from obvious drawbacks that cannot precisely detect MPs of tiny sizes and provide quantitative information. In the present study, a novel strategy that does not require sample pretreatment was developed to first effectuate accurate quantification of polyethylene MP (PE-MP) in PM2.5 based on pyrolysis-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC-MS/MS). It featured acceptable recoveries (97%-110%), high sensitivity (LOD = 1 pg), and qualified precisions (RSD of 3%-13%). Employing this approach, for the first time, exact atmospheric concentrations of PE-MPs in PM2.5 from megacities in North (Zhengzhou and Taiyuan) and South (Guangzhou) China were obtained, and relatively serious pollution was found in Taiyuan. The 100% sample detection rates also suggested the widespread occurrence and possible human exposure risks of PM2.5-bound PE-MPs. In brief, the new strategy could conduct direct, sensitive, and accurate quantification of PE-MP in PM2.5, favoring further studies of environmental fates, distributions, and toxicities of atmospheric MPs.

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A Novel Strategy to Directly Quantify Polyethylene Microplastics in PM<sub>2.5</sub> Based on Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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