A novel simplified method for extraction of microplastic particles from face scrub and laundry wastewater

Abstract

Microplastic pollution in different environmental matrices is a serious concern in the recent times. Personal care products and washing of synthetic fabrics are some of the main sources of microplastic pollution. In this work, a novel simplified, effective and sustainable method for extraction of microplastic particles from face scrub and laundry wastewater was developed. Different parameters affecting the extraction were analysed and the extraction process was optimised. The extraction efficiency of the proposed method was found to be ~ 94.1 ± 1.65%, which was slightly better than the previously available method with an advantage of ease in extraction and lesser time and resource consuming. The developed method was used to demonstrate the extraction of microplastic particles from 12 face scrub samples with different brands. It was found that the samples contained microplastic particles of varying size. The physical and chemical structure intactness of microplastic particles during the extraction was also analysed and found to be acceptable. The developed extraction method was also applied for the extraction of microfibers from the laundry wastewater. It was found that this proposed method is suitable to make the cleaner extracted samples for an easy and more effective qualitative and quantitative analysis of MPs.

Determination of Microplastics in Omega-3 Oil Supplements

“…Acetone may cause damage to some types of plastics, such as PS and styrene copolymer, but is less likely to affect PP, PE, and PET. A recent study reported a simplified method for extraction of MPs using acetone [26], meaning that MPs have tolerance to acetone. To evaluate the potential damage that may occur during the pretreatment, PS microspheres (65 µm, Spherotech, IL, USA) were added to the Petri dish, followed by pretreatment.…”

Determination of Microplastics in Omega-3 Oil Supplements

“…Acetone may cause damage to some types of plastics such as PS and styrene copolymer, but is less likely to affect PP, PE and PET. A recent study reported a simplified method for extraction of MPs using acetone [26]. Considering that the major determined species of MPs are PE and PP, acetone could be a good choice to remove oil due to its amphipathic characteristics.…”