Microplastics in water

Introduction

Microplastics, small, practically invisible plastic particles typically less than 5 millimetres in diameter, have quietly infiltrated our oceans, air, and even our food chain. As this environmental concern grows, it is critical to dig into the domain of microplastics study. In this blog article, we will look at the methods used to detect and quantify these microscopic contaminants, giving light on the scope of the problem, which affects both ecosystems and human health.

Sources of microplastics in water

Primary microplastics: These include microbeads used in cosmetics and personal care products, synthetic fibers from textiles, and microplastics deliberately added to industrial products like paints and coatings.

Secondary microplastics: These result from the breakdown of larger plastic items like bottles, bags, and packaging materials through weathering, sunlight, and wave action

Impacts of Microplastics in Water:

Harm to aquatic life: Marine animals often mistake microplastics for food, ingesting them and potentially suffering blockages, internal injuries, and reduced nutrient absorption. This can negatively impact individual organisms and entire food webs.

Chemical contamination: Microplastics can absorb and concentrate pollutants like PCBs and pesticides from the surrounding water, releasing them into the bodies of organisms that ingest them. This bioaccumulation can magnify the toxicity of these chemicals throughout the food chain.

Potential human health risks: While the long-term health effects of microplastic ingestion on humans are still being studied, concerns exist about potential impacts on the gut microbiome, hormone disruption, and inflammation.

The Significance of testing Microplastics in water

Market overview

The Water Testing and Analysis Market is anticipated to witness significant growth, projecting a market size of approximately USD 10.24 billion by 2030, compared to USD 5.83

 This scientific practice is crucial for evaluating the safety, suitability, and overall condition of water, serving purposes related to drinking, environmental considerations, industrial applications, and regulatory compliance.

Research Study Reveals Widespread Microplastic Contamination in Bottled Water

A recent study conducted by the State University of New York at Fredonia across nine countries, including India, has uncovered a concerning revelation about the bottled water we consume. The research indicates that microplastics, the same tiny particles used as exfoliators in personal care products, are present in over 90% of bottled water. The study examined 259 bottles from 11 different brands, revealing an average of 325 microplastic particles per liter of bottled water. This widespread contamination, affecting as much as 93% of the tested bottled water, prompts questions about the sources of contamination, suggesting a potential connection to the packaging and bottling processes. This eye-opening study highlights the inadvertent ingestion of plastic by consumers and emphasizes the need for increased awareness and scrutiny in our choices regarding water consumption.

Regulations and standards

• On September 27, 2023, the European Commission issued a significant amendment to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), specifically addressing the intentional addition of microplastics. This amendment introduces a new entry, Entry 78, in Annex XVII under the EU chemical legislation REACH, outlining restrictions on synthetic polymer microparticles. Additionally, it introduces two new appendices, Appendices 15 and 16, which provide guidelines for demonstrating the degradability and solubility of these microplastics. The scope of this restriction encompasses all intentionally added synthetic polymer particles measuring below five millimeters, characterized as organic, insoluble, and resistant to degradation. The regulation stipulates that such substances, either as standalone entities or in mixtures where the synthetic polymer microparticles contribute to a desired characteristic, shall not be placed on the market if their concentration equals or exceeds 0.01% by weight. This amendment reflects a pivotal step in addressing concerns related to microplastics, emphasizing the need for responsible use and management within the European market.
• There are existing regulations in India for handling plastics, such as the "Plastic waste management rules, 2016," which ensure proper management of plastic waste.
• India has endorsed a UN resolution to end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024, and microplastics are a concern in the country
  
  

Mandatory and optional analyses

Mandatory analyses typically include:

Particle size distribution: This confirms if the microplastics are less than 5 millimeters in size, as defined in the restriction.

Organic content: This determines if the microplastics are organic polymers, as only these are covered by the ban.

Insolubility in water: This assesses if the microplastics are unlikely to dissolve readily in water, posing a potential environmental risk.

Degradation resistance: This evaluates how resistant the microplastics are to breakdown in the environment. Standardized testing methods are outlined in Appendix 15 of the REACH amendment.

Optional analyses for microplastics in water:

Additional characterization: Beyond basic size and polymer type, further analyses can provide more detailed information about microplastics:

Shape and morphology: Studying the shapes and surface features of microplastics can offer clues about their origin and potential ecological effects.

Chemical additives: Analyzing for the presence of plasticizers, flame retardants, or other additives associated with certain polymers can inform potential human health risks.

Microplastic-associated contaminants: Microplastics can adsorb and concentrate pollutants like persistent organic pollutants (POPs) or heavy metals, making their analysis relevant for understanding potential ecosystem and human health risks.

Eurofins role in testing microplastics in water

Eurofins plays a significant role in testing microplastics in water, offering a comprehensive suite of services to analyze and quantify these tiny plastic particles. Here's how they contribute:

1. Extensive analytical capabilities:

Eurofins utilizes various cutting-edge techniques to identify and characterize microplastics in water samples. These include:

• Microscopy: Using optical and electron microscopes to visualize and measure microplastics.
• Spectroscopy: Techniques like Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) or Raman spectroscopy help identify the polymer types present in microplastics.
• Chromatography: Separates and analyzes microplastics based on their chemical properties.

2. Quantifying microplastic abundance: Eurofins can determine the concentration of microplastics in water samples, providing crucial data on the extent of contamination in different environments.
3. Source identification: By analyzing the polymer types and characteristics of microplastics, Eurofins can help identify their potential sources, such as textiles, tire wear, or cosmetics.
4. Supporting various projects and research: Eurofins works with environmental agencies, research institutions, and private companies to conduct microplastic analyses for various purposes, including monitoring programs, environmental impact assessments, and product development.
5. Advancing standardization and best practices: Eurofins actively participates in efforts to develop standardized protocols and best practices for microplastic analysis, contributing to improved data quality and comparability across different studies and regions.

Here are some specific examples of Eurofins' microplastic testing services:

Microplastic analysis in drinking water: Eurofins can help ensure the quality of drinking water by testing for the presence of microplastics.

Microplastic monitoring in surface water: Eurofins can assess the levels of microplastic pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Microplastic analysis in wastewater: Eurofins can help identify sources of microplastic pollution from wastewater treatment plants.

Microplastic testing in sediments: Eurofins can analyze the accumulation of microplastics in sediments, which can act as long-term reservoirs of this pollution.

By offering these comprehensive services and actively contributing to research and standardization efforts, Eurofins plays a vital role in advancing our understanding and addressing the challenges of microplastic pollution in water.

References

1. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/you-may-be-drinking-tiny-pieces-of-plastic-with-bottled-water-59929
2. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/microplastics/
3. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01143-3
4. Huang, Z., Hu, B., & Wang, H. (2023). Analytical methods for microplastics in the environment: A review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 21(1), 383-401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-022-01525-7
5. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-restriction-microplastics-eurofins-consumer-product-testing

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