Microplastics
All our services for microplastics analysis and management
Lifeanalytics provides its Product Safety Business Unit to offer a wide range of services in analysis, consulting, and regulatory updates specifically focused on microplastics.
The term microplastics refers to plastic particles, typically smaller than 5 millimeters, which can originate either from the production of small plastic items (primary microplastics) or from the degradation of larger plastic objects (secondary microplastics).
More specifically, beyond the distinction between microplastics and macroplastics (plastic waste larger than 5 millimeters), we also differentiate between microplastics (ranging from 0.1 nanometers to 5 millimeters) and nanoplastics, which are plastic particles ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers.
Microplastics are ubiquitous pollutants resistant to biodegradation. Managing them has become an increasingly urgent and relevant issue due to their growing environmental impact and the risks they pose to human health.
They pollute oceans, rivers, and soil, and may be ingested by marine organisms, thereby entering the food chain and accumulating in both animal and human tissues.
In this context, Lifeanalytics provides clients with the tools to create safe, compliant products, supporting them in effectively keeping pace with evolving regulations in the field.
In fact, the regulatory landscape is changing: in 2019, ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) proposed a broad restriction on microplastics, and in October 2023, an important update was issued with the publication of Regulation 2055/2023, amending Annex XVII of Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regarding synthetic polymer microparticles.
Types of microplastics
As already mentioned, microplastics are divided into two categories: primary and secondary microplastics.
Primary microplastics
Primary microplastics are plastic particles intentionally manufactured to be small. They are commonly used in products such as cosmetics (e.g., exfoliants and toothpastes) and industrial detergents.
Often in the form of microspheres or pellets, they are designed for specific purposes, such as improving the texture of cosmetic products or enhancing cleaning processes in detergents.
Secondary microplastics
Secondary microplastics are plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic objects, such as bottles, bags, and fishing nets. These items degrade over time due to environmental exposure, including sunlight, wind, and wave action.
These degraded particles significantly contribute to widespread pollution. They can accumulate in water bodies like seas and rivers, contaminating the marine food chain.
They have also been detected in bottled water, and may infiltrate consumer products.
Worryingly, secondary microplastics have also been found in human blood, suggesting they can be ingested or inhaled, raising serious health concerns.
Microplastics analysis: Lifeanalytics’ techniques
To ensure product safety, our Product Safety Business Unit employs advanced infrared and Raman microscopy techniques.
Micro-FTIR technique
The micro-FTIR technique is an analytical method based on the interaction between infrared radiation and matter. It provides chemical composition data by generating a characteristic spectrum in transmission, reflection, or attenuated total reflectance (ATR) modes from particles present in a sample.
This allows our analysts to determine the composition, size, shape, color, and quantity of microparticles found in a wide range of materials.
Micro-Raman technique
The micro-Raman technique is based on the interaction of laser light with the chemical bonds in materials, generating characteristic spectra for each compound.
By focusing the laser, our analysts can examine extremely small regions—down to 1 µm—and determine the number, composition, size, shape, and color of microparticles in the sample.
Microplastics analysis: fields of application
Microplastics analyses conducted by our Product Safety Business Unit cover a wide range of applications, ensuring comprehensive monitoring across production processes.
In particular, we analyze:
- Drinking water
- Process water
- Wastewater
- Sludge
- Food simulants
- Packaging
- Food products
Custom consulting and studies on microplastics
Our Product Safety Business Unit offers specialized services in analysis, consulting, and regulatory updates related to the detection and quantification of microplastics in water, packaging, food, and food simulants. We support our clients in creating safe and compliant products, aligned with future regulatory developments.
We are dedicated to in-depth research and can carry out custom studies on specific production processes. For example, our team has conducted a laboratory-scale study on paper mill water.
The data show that, often, out of more than a thousand particles found in river water at intake, only a small fraction are actually plastic. The study involved analyzing the presence of microplastics at intake, after the process, and after water treatment.
Results suggest that the treatment system is effective in that context and may release even fewer microplastics into the environment than were present in the intake water.
This case study is just one example of the targeted and personalized research we can plan and carry out based on our partners’ needs to explore the topic of microplastics in different materials, products, and applications.
Microplastics analysis and consulting: benefits for companies
As mentioned, our Product Safety Business Unit services offer many benefits to companies, starting with enhanced market competitiveness and regulatory compliance.
However, the environment and consumer safety must remain the top priorities for every business.
Staying up to date with microplastics regulations is critical for companies that want to guarantee product safety.
In particular, the implementation of Regulation 2055/2023 requires attention and precision, as companies must adapt their production processes to meet new standards.
Lifeanalytics Product Safety: how we support product safety
Microplastics management is a growing challenge across many sectors and for a wide variety of companies.
Lifeanalytics offers comprehensive support to help companies not only comply with current legislation, but also to develop products that are safe for consumers and the environment.
Through advanced analytical techniques, cutting-edge instrumentation, specialized consulting services, and continuous regulatory updates, we support companies in making their production processes more efficient and sustainable.
The Product Safety Business Unit is committed to the quality, safety, and sustainability of materials, supporting companies operating in the food contact materials sector and beyond.
We act as a strategic partner, assisting clients in implementing sustainable development policies by offering innovative, customized products and high-value tailored solutions.
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