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https://phys.org/news/2025-05-tool-nanoplastics-microplastics-environment.html>
'A team of McGill University researchers has developed a cost-effective,
high-throughput technology for detecting nanoplastics and microplastics in the
environment.
These particles are pervasive, posing health and environmental risks, yet
detecting them at the nanoscale has been difficult. The 3D-printed HoLDI-MS
test platform overcomes the limitations of traditional mass spectrometry by
enabling direct analysis of samples without requiring complex sample
preparation. The researchers say it also will work for detection of waterborne
plastic particles. HoLDI-MS stands for hollow-laser desorption/ionization mass
spectrometry.
"With HoLDI, we provide a method that is effective, quantitative, highly
accurate and affordable, making it accessible to researchers worldwide," said
Chemistry Professor Parisa Ariya, who led the study published last month in
Communications Chemistry. "It requires little energy, is recyclable and costs
only a few dollars per sample."
The new method will also advance international cooperation in fighting plastic
pollution, in alignment with calls by the United Nations Environment Program to
improve methods, the researchers say.
"Until now, there have been no established universal protocols for nanoplastic
detection within the complex environment," Ariya said.
"This technology allows us to pinpoint the major sources of nano and
microplastics in the environment," she said. "More importantly, it enables data
comparison and validation across laboratories worldwide, a crucial step toward
harmonizing global research on plastic pollution."
As part of their study, the researchers identified polyethylene and
polydimethylsiloxanes in indoor air, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in
outdoor air.'
Via Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
