Nano and microplastics pose a serious threat to human health due to their ability to absorb toxins. Microplastics are a byproduct of the breakdown of plastic materials such as lunch boxes, cups and cutlery and can penetrate biological barriers in the human body.

To measure plastic emissions from everyday sources such as disposable cups and water bottles, researchers have developed a low-cost, portable device.

The device, developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia, detects plastic particles in the size range of 50 nanometers to 10 micrometers within minutes.

In conjunction with an app, the device uses a fluorescent marker to detect plastic particles that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Microplastics pose a significant threat to food systems

“The breakdown of larger plastic pieces into microplastics and nanoplastics poses a significant threat to food systems, ecosystems and human health,” said Dr. Tianxi Yang, assistant professor in the School of Land and Food Systems, who developed the tool.

“This new technology enables rapid and cost-effective detection of these plastics, which could help protect our health and our ecosystems.”

Existing methods for detecting microplastics require skilled personnel and expensive equipment. The researchers therefore aimed to develop a faster, more accessible and more reliable detection method.

To develop the portable tool, the researchers created a small, biodegradable, 3D-printed box that contains a wireless digital microscope, green LED light and an excitation filter.

To measure the plastics, they adapted MATLAB software with machine learning algorithms and combined it with image acquisition software.

The result is a portable tool that works with a smartphone or other mobile device and determines the number of plastic particles in a sample.

The tool takes only a tiny sample of liquid – less than a drop of water – and shines the plastic particles under the green LED light in the microscope to make them visible and measured. The results are easy to understand, whether for a technician in a food processing lab or simply someone curious about their morning cup of coffee, according to the University of British Columbia.

Haoming (Peter) Yang, co-author of the study published in ACS Sensors and a master’s student in the Department of Land and Food Systems, explained that once the microscope in the box captures the fluorescent image, the app matches the pixel area of ​​the image with the number of plastics.

Each test costs only 1.5 cents

“The measurement shows whether and how much plastic is present. Each test costs only 1.5 cents.”

The tool is currently calibrated to measure polystyrene, but after fine-tuning the machine learning algorithm, it can also measure other types of plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

In order to analyze plastic particles for other real-world applications, the researchers now want to commercialize the device.

“To reduce plastic intake, it is important to avoid petroleum-based plastic products and choose alternatives such as glass or stainless steel for food containers,” said Dr. Yang.

“The development of biodegradable packaging materials is also important to replace conventional plastics and enable the transition to a more sustainable world.”

The long-term effects of ingesting plastic through drinks, food and even plastic particles in the air are still being studied, but are cause for concern, according to UBC.