Plastics Analysis Solid Sampling: Environmental Monitoring (PDF)

Watch this 20-minute educational video by Andreas Kerstan, Agilent Product Specialist in molecular spectroscopy, to gain a comprehensive update on the microplastics landscape and the environmental concerns related to them. Discover the current challenges in microplastics characterization and how Agilent innovative solutions and techniques, including FTIR, LDIR, GC/MS, and ICP-MS, are addressing these issues head-on.

Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) technology is used to process challenging pharmaceutical samples quickly and simultaneously in accordance with USP <232>/<233>.

BLADE was used to digest various cosmetics products in preparation for analysis of As, Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, Hg, and Ni. Analysis was performed by ICP-OES.

The capability of the VeeMAX III with ATR to maximize sensitivity by using the accessory’s variable angle feature and a low RI ATR material, ZnS, is investigated.

The automated Agilent 8700 LDIR chemical imaging system lets you obtain high-quality images and spectral data faster than ever before. So, you can perform confident large-scale microplastics studies and monitoring activities.

It is estimated that more than 75% of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced over the last 65 years have turned into waste. Up to 13 million metric tons of this waste ends up in the ocean every year and recent calculations estimate that more than 5.25 trillion plastic particles float in the world’s oceans. Scientists have demonstrated the alarming environmental ubiquity and persistence of particulate plastic in aquatic ecosystems. Models predict that approximately 14% of the plastic debris in the ocean surface layer can be classified as so-called microplastics (often referred to as particles between 1 µm and 5 mm in size). These ingestible and potentially harmful particles have been formed by UV-induced, mechanical, or biological degradation of larger debris items. To verify the estimates and to meet upcoming regulatory measures (e.g., California Senate Bill 1422) and directives (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), accurate, time-efficient, and robust analytical workflows and techniques are required.