Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Feasibility of Raman and FTIR spectroscopy for direct microplastic search in the human milk samples: Comparative qualitative study

Researchers tested whether infrared and Raman spectroscopy could detect microplastics directly in human breast milk without harsh chemical processing that might damage the samples. They found these methods can serve as a useful screening tool for common plastics like polyethylene and polystyrene in milk, which matters because breast milk is a direct route of microplastic exposure for infants.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Isolating microplastics from human milk: a chemical digestion approach for effective polymer extraction and ATR-FTIR analysis

Researchers developed and evaluated a chemical digestion method for isolating microplastics from human breast milk, addressing the challenges posed by the high fat and protein content of this matrix. The method enabled ATR-FTIR polymer identification of MPs extracted from milk samples, providing a validated protocol for studying infant dietary MP exposure.

2025 The International Islamic University Malaysia Repository (The International Islamic University Malaysia)
Article Tier 2

Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk

Researchers used Raman spectroscopy to detect and characterize microplastics in human breast milk samples for the first time. They found microplastic particles in the samples, confirming that nursing infants can be exposed to microplastics through breastfeeding. This pilot study highlights the need for larger investigations into how microplastics in breast milk might affect infant health during a critical period of development.

2022 Polymers 730 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and Its Association with Changes in Human Milk Bacterial Microbiota

Researchers detected microplastics in nearly 39% of breast milk samples from 59 mothers, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. The presence of microplastics was linked to changes in the bacterial makeup of breast milk, raising concerns about early-life microplastic exposure in infants during breastfeeding.

2024 Journal of Clinical Medicine 57 citations
Article Tier 2

Analisis Mikroplastik Pada Botol Susu Plastik Bayi Dengan Metoda FTIR

This Indonesian study analyzed baby bottle plastics using infrared spectroscopy to detect microplastics released during use. Plastic baby bottles are a known source of microplastic exposure in infants, and identifying the specific polymer types released helps characterize the nature and potential risks of this common exposure.

2023 Parapemikir Jurnal Ilmiah Farmasi
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy

Researchers analyzed lung tissue from 13 people and found microplastics in 11 of the samples, identifying 12 different plastic types including polypropylene and polyester. The particles were found in all regions of the lungs, with significantly higher concentrations in the lower lung. This is one of the first studies to directly confirm that microplastics from everyday environments can be inhaled and accumulate deep in human lung tissue.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 1264 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in human blood: Polymer types, concentrations and characterisation using μFTIR

Scientists analyzed blood from 20 healthy volunteers and found microplastics in 90% of samples, identifying 24 different plastic types including many reported for the first time in blood. The particles were mostly small fragments averaging about 128 micrometers long, and the study also detected hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates attached to the plastics. This adds to growing evidence that a wide variety of plastic particles are circulating in human blood.

2024 Environment International 178 citations
Article Tier 2

Release of microplastics from breastmilk storage bags and assessment of intake by infants: A preliminary study

Researchers tested six commercially available breastmilk storage bags and found they released large numbers of microplastic and submicron particles during simulated normal use. The particles were identified as plastics using spectroscopy analysis, raising questions about infant exposure through stored breastmilk. The study suggests that single-use plastic baby food packaging may be an overlooked source of microplastic ingestion for infants.

2023 Environmental Pollution 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Contributions of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in microplastic pollution research: A review

This review covers advances in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques — including chemical imaging — for identifying polymer types in microplastic samples and tracing their fate in different environmental matrices.

2020 Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 480 citations
Article Tier 2

Harmonizing infrared spectroscopic techniques for microplastic identification: a comparative evaluation of ATR and µFTIR transmission and reflection modes

Researchers systematically compared the performance of Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (muFTIR) in both transmission and reflection modes for identifying microplastics from twelve common real-world plastic products, providing guidance on optimizing spectroscopic technique selection.

2025
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of near infrared spectroscopy for direct detection of common microplastics contamination in camel Milk powder

Researchers evaluated near infrared spectroscopy as a rapid, non-destructive method for detecting common microplastic contamination in camel milk powder. The technique successfully distinguished between uncontaminated and contaminated samples spiked with polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PET at concentrations as low as 0.01% by weight. The findings suggest NIR spectroscopy could serve as a practical quality control tool for screening microplastic contamination in premium dairy products.

2026 Food Chemistry
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in human urine: Characterisation using μFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants

Researchers analyzed urine samples from healthy individuals and endometriosis patients, detecting microplastics in the majority of both groups, with 22 different polymer types found. While microplastic levels were not significantly different between the two groups, the finding that plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, and PTFE are being excreted in human urine confirms that these particles are circulating through the body.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 68 citations
Review Tier 2

Analysing micro- and nanoplastics with cutting-edge infrared spectroscopy techniques: a critical review

This review evaluates cutting-edge infrared spectroscopy techniques for detecting and analyzing micro- and nanoplastics in environmental and food samples. Better detection methods are crucial for understanding human exposure because they allow scientists to measure smaller particles more accurately, including nanoplastics that are small enough to cross biological barriers and accumulate in human tissues.

2024 Analytical Methods 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of microplastic particles in Danish drinking water

Researchers investigated microplastic presence in drinking water from 17 sites across Denmark, using stainless steel filters and advanced µFT-IR spectroscopy on 50-litre samples to identify and chemically characterise particles larger than 100 µm.

2018 Research Portal (King's College London) 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Human Milk, Microplastics and Children's Health: An Equation to Be Solved

This review examined microplastic contamination in human breast milk, summarizing evidence of widespread MP detection and discussing the potential health consequences for infants whose primary food source in the first two years of life may contain plastic particles.

2025 International Journal of Medical Science and Health Research
Article Tier 2

A novel method for purification, quantitative analysis and characterization of microplastic fibers using Micro-FTIR

Researchers developed an improved method for purifying, quantifying, and characterizing microplastic fibers using micro-FTIR spectroscopy, addressing the challenge that fibers are harder to process and identify than other microplastic shapes. The method improvements enable more accurate characterization of this common but technically challenging category of environmental microplastics.

2019 Chemosphere 191 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of microplastics in human placenta using laser direct infrared spectroscopy

Using laser direct infrared spectroscopy, researchers detected microplastics in all 17 human placentas examined in this study. The most common types were polypropylene and polyethylene, the same plastics found in food containers and packaging. This finding is significant because it shows that microplastics can reach the placenta, raising important questions about potential effects on fetal development during pregnancy.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 333 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating Microplastic Presence in Eye Drops Using Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Using micro-FTIR spectroscopy, researchers detected microplastic particles ≥20 μm in commercial eye drops, finding evidence of plastic contamination in ophthalmic products and recommending further investigation into packaging sources.

2025 Cornea 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Field Survey of Indoor Microplastic in Four Regions of Japan

Researchers surveyed indoor microplastic contamination in residential house dust across four regions of Japan, using micro-FTIR spectroscopy to identify multiple polymer types — including polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene — in settled floor dust, extending previous Tokyo-focused findings to a national scale.

2023 E3S Web of Conferences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Detecting small microplastics down to 1.3 μm using large area ATR-FTIR

Researchers introduced large-area ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as a new technique capable of detecting microplastics as small as 1.3 micrometers, outperforming conventional micro-FTIR for small particle detection in marine water samples.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Direct µ-FTIR analysis of microplastics deposited on silicon in indoor air environments

Direct micro-FTIR analysis of microplastics deposited on silicon wafers was optimized for improved detection sensitivity and throughput. The refined protocol reduces sample preparation steps and improves the accuracy of polymer identification, advancing the standardization of microplastic analysis methods.

2025 npj Emerging Contaminants 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and characterisation of microplastics in animal feed

Researchers detected microplastics in livestock and poultry feed samples collected from 12 different farms using infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in animal feed represents a potential pathway for these particles to enter the human food chain, raising concerns for food security.

2023 Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research 12 citations
Letter Tier 3

A word of caution regarding breast milk: a correspondence

This correspondence raises concerns about microplastic contamination in breast milk, noting that plastics are increasingly detected in human tissues due to widespread plastic use. The authors caution that infants may be exposed to microplastics through breastfeeding, even though breast milk remains the healthiest feeding option. The letter calls for more research on microplastic transfer pathways into human milk.

2023 International Journal of Surgery Global Health 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of Microplastics in Synthetic Fibers Through FT-IR Microscope

This study used FTIR microscopy to identify and characterize microplastics derived from synthetic textile fibers in environmental samples. Synthetic fiber microplastics are among the most common types found in the ocean, and FTIR analysis is essential for confirming their identity and polymer composition.

2020 Journal of Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology