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Pyrolysis-Gas chromatography time of flight mass spectrometry (Py-GCToF) presented as a standard methodology for identification and semi-quantification of micro and nanoplastics. • Fast sample preparation and obtainment of repeatable results even in real environmental aqueous samples. • Use of PTFE membranes as a sample support; an affordable, common and broadly applied material in the industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the worldwide production and use of disposable plastic face masks (DPFMs). The release of micro- and nanopollutants into the environment is one of the impacts derived from regulated and unregulated disposal of DPFMs. This study focuses on the emission of pollutants from medical-grade DPFMs when submerged in deionized water, simulating regulated and unregulated disposal of these masks. Three brands of FFP2 and three brands of Type IIR medical masks, produced in various countries (UK, EU, and non-EU), were investigated. Field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) was used to obtain high-resolution images of the micro- and nanoparticles, and 0.02 μm pore size inorganic membranes were used to retain and subsequently analyze smaller particle size nanoparticles (>20 nm) released from the DPFMs. Particles and fibers in the micro- and nanoscale were found in all six DPFM brands. SEM with energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of particles containing different heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the leaching of trace heavy metals to water (antimony up to 2.41 μg/L and copper up to 4.68 μg/L). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis identified polar organic species related to plastic additives and contaminants such as polyamide-66 monomers and oligomers.

Plastics could be one of the most important environmental problems our society will face this century. The continuous and increasing production of these synthetic materials and the lack of an appropriate plastic waste management approach are intensifying the plastic contamination of water bodies worldwide, as well as land and air. The fact that plastics break down into smaller particles (micro-and nanoplastics) by the action of physical and chemical reactions and do not degrade biologically is a cause of concern as plastics are believed to cause harm in animals, plants, and humans. From sampling to identification, several techniques have been developed to determine the type of plastics found in aquatic environments. Following the sampling process of a water body, using nets, pumps, or other devices, depending on the sample type, it is usually necessary to treat the samples for separation and purification purposes. The next step is the use of analytical methods to identify the synthetic pollutants. The most common approaches are microscopy, spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. This Review summarizes the most important technologies applied to analyze the importance of plastics as a contaminant in water bodies, offering an excellent compendium regarding the sampling, separation, purification, and identification of micro-and nanoplastics in aqueous samples, including an overview of notable articles that have utilized these approaches successfully.

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