New partnership to jointly develop a methodology for the determination of microplastics

Eurofins has recently signed a collaboration agreement with Markes International a company specialising in the quantification of trace amounts of volatile and semi-volatile compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) by gas chromatography (GC). The agreement is aimed at facilitating the development and validation of a methodology for the quantification of micro- and nano-plastics up to 0.3 µm in size by Eurofins | IPROMA using a Markes International instrument.

The instrument, which is operational at the Eurofins | IPROMA central office, has already processed some samples obtaining satisfactory results in the quantification of these contaminants at low detection limits.

As a result of the collaboration, Eurofins | IPROMA, together with Markes International, will make a presentation at the “SETAC Europe 30th Annual Meeting” congress, to be held in Dublin (Ireland) from 3-7 May, entitled “Qualitative Analysis Of Microplastics: A Problem To Be Solved”.

The development of this type of methodology is fundamental to quantify the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in different natural environments, to determine the origin of these contaminants and take the necessary measures for their elimination. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has encouraged research into microplastics and a drastic reduction in the pollution produced by plastics in the environment, aware of the serious effects that they can cause on human health.

Eurofins | IPROMA, which actively participates in the microplastics working group of the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation, is once again ahead of the regulatory requirements to provide innovative solutions to current problems.