Microplastics have entered our food, our water and even the air we breathe, and are increasingly found in our bodies, from testicular tissue to brain matter.
In response to this growing concern, researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a low-cost, portable device that can accurately measure the microplastic particles released by everyday items such as disposable cups and water bottles.
Devices for detecting microplastics
“The accumulation of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) in ecosystems poses enormous environmental risks to terrestrial and aquatic organisms. The development of rapid, field-deployable and sensitive devices to assess the potential risks of MNP pollution is critical,” the study authors said.
“However, current techniques for detecting MNPs have limited effectiveness. Here, we develop a wireless wearable device that enables rapid, sensitive on-site detection of MNPs, followed by remote data processing via machine learning algorithms for quantitative fluorescence imaging.”
This new device, which works in conjunction with a smartphone app, uses a fluorescent marker to detect plastic particles ranging in size from 50 nanometers to 10 micrometers – far too small to be seen with the naked eye. Results are available within minutes.
Nanoplastics and health concerns
“The breakdown of larger plastics into microplastics and nanoplastics poses a significant threat to food systems, ecosystems and human health,” said Tianxi Yang, assistant professor in the School of Land and Food Systems who developed the tool. “This new technique enables rapid and cost-effective detection of these plastics, which could help protect our health and ecosystems.”
Nano- and microplastics are created by the breakdown of plastic materials such as lunch boxes, cups and cutlery. Due to their small size and large surface area, nanoplastic particles are of particular concern to human health as they can more easily absorb toxins and penetrate biological barriers in the human body.
Fast microplastic detection device
Detecting these tiny plastic particles usually requires special skills and expensive equipment. Yang’s team wanted to make detection faster, more accessible and more reliable.
They developed a compact, biodegradable, 3D-printed device that contains a wireless digital microscope, a green LED light and an excitation filter. To measure the plastic particles, they adapted MATLAB software with machine learning algorithms and combined it with image acquisition software.
The result is a portable tool that works with a smartphone or other mobile device and detects the presence of plastic particles in a sample. The tool requires only a tiny sample of liquid – less than a drop of water – and causes the plastic particles to fluoresce under the green LED light in the microscope, allowing them to be seen and measured.
The results are easy to interpret, both for a technician in a food processing laboratory and for someone curious about the microplastic content in their coffee cup.
Research focus
For their study, the scientists tested disposable polystyrene cups by filling them with 50 ml of distilled boiling water and allowing them to cool for 30 minutes.
The results showed that these cups released hundreds of millions of nano-plastic particles, each about one-hundredth the width of a human hair or smaller.
“As soon as the microscope in the box captures the fluorescent image, the app compares the pixel area of the image with the number of plastics,” explains co-author Haoming (Peter) Yang, a master’s student in the School of Land and Food Systems. “The display shows whether and how much plastic is present. Each test costs only 1.5 cents.”
The device is currently calibrated to measure polystyrene, but the machine learning algorithm can be adapted to detect other types of plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
Further implications of the study
The researchers’ next goal is to commercialize the device and expand its use to analyze microplastics in various real-world applications.
The long-term effects of plastic ingestion through food, drink and airborne particles are still being studied, but initial results are causing concern.
“To reduce plastic intake, it is important to avoid petroleum-based plastic products and choose alternatives such as glass or stainless steel for food containers,” Yang said.
“The development of biodegradable packaging materials is also important to replace conventional plastics and enable the transition to a more sustainable world.”
The development and results of this tool are described in detail in the journal. ACS sensors.
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