Collection and separation analysis of airborne microplastics

Widespread contamination with microplastics (< 5 mm, MPs) has become an emerging global problem. Airborne microplastics and synthetic fibres contaminate the air we breathe, but their concentrations are highly influenced by sampling and analytical methodologies. This chapter reviews current pre-treatment and characterization techniques applied to airborne MPs. Pre-treatment of samples removes unwanted materials and selects MPs, avoiding interference from organic and/or inorganic materials. Identification or characterization of plastics is mostly based on visual identification, followed by spectroscopy methods. Additionally, great care must be taken regarding the cross contamination of samples with deposited microplastics originating from the laboratory air. It is urgent to define a validated standard protocol, which will contribute to a better understanding of sources and concentrations of airborne microplastics in the environment.