Application of Infrared and Near-Infrared Microspectroscopy to Microplastic Human Exposure Measurements

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is a global issue for the environment and human health. The potential for human exposure to microplastic through drinking water, dust, food, and air raises concern, since experimental in vitro and in vivo toxicology studies suggest there is a level of hazard associated with high microplastic concentrations. However, to infer the likelihood of hazards manifesting in the human population, a robust understanding of exposure concentrations is needed. Infrared and near-infrared microspectroscopies have routinely been used to analyze microplastic in different exposure matrices (air, dust, food, and water), with technological advances coupling multivariate and machine learning algorithms to spectral data. This focal point article will highlight the application of infrared and Raman modes of spectroscopy to detect, characterize, and quantify microplastic particles, with a focus on human exposure to microplastic. Methodologies and state-of-the-art approaches will be reported and potential confounding variables and challenges in microplastic analysis discussed. The article provides an up-to-date review of the literature on microplastic exposure measurement using (near) infrared spectroscopies as an analytical tool, highlighting the recent advances in this rapidly advancing field.

Abundance, characterization, and health risk evaluation of microplastics in borehole water in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

“…The 24 water samples (3 from each location) underwent filtration using glass fiber filter papers, followed by digestion with 50 ml of hydrogen peroxide, and were agitated for a period of 5 days, as outlined by Wright et al [ 21 ]. Subsequently, the digested materials were transferred into a separating funnel containing an aqueous potassium formate solution.…”

Effects of Benzo (a) Pyrene and 2,2′,4,4′-Tetrabromodiphenyl Ether Exposure on the Thyroid Gland in Rats by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

“…Recent studies have shown that techniques of infrared spectroscopy have molecular sensitivity comparable to that of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in detecting biochemical changes in biological samples, and require less material, less effort, and are faster and cheaper . Infrared spectroscopy can be used to detect the particle size distribution of microplastics in tissues, biofluids and living environments, and to understand the risk levels of these exposures to humans . At present, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been widely used to understand changes in cells and tissues, especially those changes caused by exposure to environmental disrupting chemicals (EDCs), due to its ability to identify specific chemical changes in biological samples .…”

“… 16 Infrared spectroscopy can be used to detect the particle size distribution of microplastics in tissues, biofluids and living environments, and to understand the risk levels of these exposures to humans. 17 At present, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been widely used to understand changes in cells and tissues, especially those changes caused by exposure to environmental disrupting chemicals (EDCs), due to its ability to identify specific chemical changes in biological samples. 18 ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been widely used in environmental toxicology studies, mainly for identifying the toxic effects of pollutants and exploring the mechanisms of toxic effects.…”