Solutions / Microplastics testing

Microplastics testing

Measurlabs offers microplastic analyses for a variety of matrices from water and soil to food, biological samples, and consumer goods. Common reasons for testing include environmental research and efforts to minimize the number of microplastics in the product or their release into the environment.

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Testing options for water

Different types of water are the most common sample matrices in microplastics testing. Plastic particles can be screened from natural waters to identify polluted river, lake, or marine areas. Analysis may also focus on bottled water to optimize the production process and packaging so that as few particles as possible end up in the product.

Microplastic analysis of wastewater is typically focused on optimizing filtration systems to minimize the release of plastics into the environment. Testable systems can range from small filters intended for washing machines to filters used on large ships and in urban wastewater treatment plants.

For filters used to purify drinking water, see our filter performance testing package, which covers removal efficiency for microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and several other groups of contaminants.

Microplastics in clean water samples or bottles with µFTIR

ISO/DIS 16094-2

Determination of microplastic content in clean water samples with vibrational spectroscopy methods. The analytical report will list different types of polymers detected and their distribution by size. There are two options for how the analysis can be conducted: Analysis with µFTIR spectroscopy according to ISO/DIS 16094-2 (capable of detecting particles from 10 µm to 5,000 µm), µRaman spectroscopy method (capable of detecting particles from 1 μm to 5,000 µm). Please let us know the preferred approach when requesting an offer. The method applies to water with low particle load, such as clean drinking water or ultrapure water, as it does not include digestion pre-treatment. Please note that natural or environmental water samples are usually not suitable for this method due to the possible presence of higher amounts of solid particles. See microplastic analysis of natural water or wastewater instead, or just request a quote from our experts.

190 €

Microplastics in natural water with µFTIR

ISO 24187

Determination of microplastics in water samples with higher particulate loads using microspectroscopic methods. Generally, µFTIR is the preferred method for these matrices. The results will specify different types of polymers by size, for example, 10–50 µm, 50–100 µm, 100–500 µm, and >500 µm, as shown in this example report. This analysis is suitable for water samples with relatively high particulate loads, such as typical wastewater and environmental/natural waters. The analysis can be adapted to special water matrices (process water, industrial water, samples with very high particle loads or fibers, etc.), but this may incur extra costs.

390 €

Microplastics and -rubber particles with py-GC/MS, clean water samples (13 polymers, wide scope)

Measurement to determine ten common plastic types (PE, PP, PS, ABS, PVC, PET, PC, PMMA, PA6, PA66) and Rubber particles (BR, NR, SBR) with pyrolysis-GC/MS. In the method, microplastics are separated from the sample and reported in µg/l of individual polymer types and as a sum of all particles. An illustrative example is provided in our example report for microplastic analysis of water using pyrolysis–GC/MS. This product is suitable only for clean water samples. If you need testing for other sample types, see microplastics in typical wastewater samples and soil, sediment, or sludge.

579–679 €

Microplastics with TED-GC-MS, wastewater and environmental/natural water samples

ISO/DIS 16094-3, ISO /WD 16094-4

Measurement of microplastic concentrations in water samples with relatively high particulate loads (e.g., wastewater, natural waters) with the TED-GC-MS method. Sample pretreatment is performed in accordance with ISO/WD 16094-4, and the analysis itself follows ISO 16094-3. The analysis includes the determination of five common polymer species (e.g., PE, PP, PS, ABS, PET), with the results reported in µg/L. If the goal is to analyze a larger number of polymers, py-GC/MS is the preferred thermoanalytical method; see microplastics in wastewater with py-GC/MS for more details.

950 €

Microplastics on filter, µFTIR

Microplastics analysis with µFTIR directly from a suitable filter. The preferred filter is Anodisc filter discs (0.2 μm pore size, 25 mm diameter). The displayed price does not include any pretreatment or other additional steps. Please let us know if you are planning to use another filter type when requesting an offer, so that we can confirm its suitability for the analysis. The results of the analysis will specify different types of polymers by size, for example, 10–50 µm, 50–100 µm, 100–500 µm, and >500 µm. The price is suitable for up to 20 mm filter diameter. Larger filter size is more expensive.

235 €

Prices excluding VAT.

Questions?

Anssi Rajala and our other testing experts are happy to help.

Other matrices

In addition to water, microplastics can be screened from other environmental samples, such as soil, sediment, and sludge. Testing can be performed according to the principles specified in ISO 24187, which is one of the first international standards for microplastic analysis.

Our service selection also covers a range of specialty matrices, including food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biological samples (such as blood) of both animal and human origin. For a customer reference, see how we supported researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital with a study that compared microplastic levels in the blood of stroke patients and healthy controls.

Prices excluding VAT.

Analysis methods in microplastics testing

Microplastics can be analyzed using several methods, the most common of which are Raman, FTIR, py-GC/MS, and TED-GC-MS. Raman and FTIR can identify and quantify microplastic particles by size range and plastic type. Identification is based on broad reference libraries, so even rarer plastics can be detected. Very small particles (< 1 µm with Raman and <10 µm with FTIR) are generally not detected, however, which makes these methods unsuitable for nanoplastic analysis.

Pyrolysis-GC/MS and TED-GC-MS, on the other hand, can detect nanoplastics but do not provide information on particle size distribution. Instead, the overall quantity of microplastics within a set size range (obtained using cascade filtering) is reported as a mass fraction in µg/l. If detailed information about the shape and size of plastic particles is needed, SEM imaging can also be used.

More information about the differences between analysis methods is available in our article on ISO 16094 standards. Part 2 of the standard series outlines vibrational spectroscopy methods, and Part 3 thermoanalytical methods for the detection of microplastics in clean water samples. To access the information in video form, see on-demand webinar by testing expert Anssi Rajala on analytical techniques for microplastic analysis.

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