Microplastics have become a central focus in environmental and medical research, with new studies published daily on their presence in different tissues and ecosystems, as well as their potential health effects.1 This surge in scientific attention has been matched by increasing demand for commercial analysis services capable of quantifying microplastics in complex matrices, such as blood and other biological samples.
Alongside this demand, a number of cheap at-home screening tests have emerged on the market, some claiming to measure microplastic concentrations in blood from a simple pin-prick test for $150 or less. With little to no information provided on the methodology, it is impossible to say whether such tests can provide any scientifically justifiable information. However, the price alone is a big warning sign, as detecting and quantifying microplastics in biological samples is technically challenging and typically requires extensive sample cleanup, rigorous contamination control, and advanced instrumentation.
This article provides a step-by-step overview of the current state-of-the-art for commercially available microplastic analysis of blood and other biological matrices, based on Measurlabs’ experience offering analysis services to universities, research institutes, and medical device manufacturers. While following these steps will inevitably raise the price compared to the quick at-home tests, the results will also be significantly more reliable.
Step 1: Contamination-free sampling and shipping
Because microplastics can be introduced from countless external sources, reliable analysis begins with contamination-free sampling. Biological samples must also be kept frozen during storage and transport to prevent degradation.
The following best practices should be followed:
Avoid plastic equipment if feasible. Blood should preferably be collected in glass vacutainers sealed with rubber seals that do not contain target polymers.
Avoid other possible contamination sources, such as synthetic clothing, cosmetics, or hair products, while sampling.
Freeze samples to -20 °C and keep them frozen until analysis. Organize shipping with dry ice to ensure the temperature is maintained throughout the logistics chain.
Measurlabs provides the necessary logistics support for customers who send biological samples for analysis, including more detailed sampling instructions and an optional sample pickup service.
Step 2: Sample preparation, cleanup, and filtration
Once samples arrive at the lab, the next task is to remove biological material without altering the microplastics themselves. The current standard workflow for blood samples is based on a 2022 article by Leslie et al. and utilizes a mix of heating, enzymatic digestion, and shaking steps to break down proteins, after which the sample is passed through glass or stainless-steel filters to capture the particles. Procedural blanks are run on the side throughout to control for background contamination.2
This standard blood sample preparation procedure can be modified to suit other biological matrices, such as soft tissues, amniotic fluid, and breast milk. The precise digestion and filtration steps are chosen on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the client, accounting for the selected analysis technique (which will affect filter choice) and the analyzing laboratory’s prior experience with handling the specific matrix.
Step 3: Microplastic detection with advanced analysis techniques
Once extracted, microplastic particles are analyzed using vibrational spectroscopy or thermoanalytical methods. The most common techniques are Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS), all of which yield slightly different information. The key differences with regard to microplastic analysis of blood samples are outlined in Table 1.
Table 1: Comparison of analytical techniques for quantifying microplastics in blood
Technique | Minimum size of detectable particles* | Presentation of the results |
µFTIR | ~10 µm | Number of particles per ml of blood by size range and polymer type |
µRaman | ~5 µm | Number of particles per ml of blood by size range and polymer type |
py-GC/MS | ~0.3 µm (300 nm) | Total concentration of plastic in µg/ml by polymer type. Cascade filtering can be used to target particles in a specific size range (e.g., nanoplastics only), but particle counts are not revealed. |
* These are values we have typically reached in the most recent analysis projects. Detection capability may vary depending on the exact matrix (e.g., whole blood, plasma), sample preparation, and instrument used.
In terms of target polymers, all three techniques can detect the most widespread polymer types, such as PE, PS, PET, and PP. As substance identification with FTIR and Raman is based on existing spectral libraries, they can be used to identify a wide range of rarer polymer types, as long as target polymers are included within the reference library.
Py-GC/MS is the only technique of the three that is, in principle, capable of analyzing nanoplastics. Particles in the nanometer size range can be separated by passing the sample through several filters, for example, 1 µm and 0.3 µm, to extract particles that fall within this range. However, as the mass of nanoplastic particles is extremely small, the mass concentration may fall below the method’s detection limit.
One partner for all your microplastic analysis needs
Measurlabs provides microplastic analysis services for blood and other biological matrices in accordance with the best practices described above. More information, including typical pricing, is available through the links below:
Due to the complex nature of the matrix, the prices are indicative and can vary depending on the extent of required sample preparation, the selected analysis technique, and the scale of the project. Tell us about your samples and research objectives using the form below, and we’ll prepare a tailored offer.
References
1 On September 9th, 2025, the ScienceDirect search tool returned 8,262 results with the search term “microplastics” for the year 2025, including 5,651 research articles and 1,590 review articles.
2 Heather A. Leslie, Martin J.M. van Velzen, Sicco H. Brandsma, A. Dick Vethaak, Juan J. Garcia-Vallejo and Marja H. Lamoree (2022) Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood in Environment International, Volume 163.